Crowley relief after shocking Kempton fall
Jockey escapes with broken nose but prays for fellow rider after terrifying four-horse pile-up on all-weather
CHAMP Jim Crowley admits he is lucky to be alive after the frightening four-horse pile-up at Kempton.
But he says all his thoughts and prayers are with Freddy Tylicki, who remains in intensive care after the horrifying incident on Monday.
Newly-crowned Flat king Crowley, 38, left with nothing more than a broken nose after the carnage, said: “I’m very lucky.
“It was very scary. I am okay, I had the scans and no bones were broken although every part of my body is aching now and I have smashed up my nose.
“I am sore all over and feel like I have been run over by a truck but it’s not about me, it’s about Freddy.
“All my thoughts — and those of everyone in the weighing room — are with Freddy and his family.
“We hope and pray he’s going to be okay.”
The accident happened when Tylicki’s horse clipped heels, bringing down the mount of Crowley and horses ridden by Ted Durcan and Steve Drowne. Racing was abandoned after the shocking incident.
Crowley and Tylicki were treated on the track by medics for an hour before being rushed to hospital. Tylicki remains in intensive care after being airlifted with suspected spinal injuries.
Durcan and Drowne walked back to the weighing room although Durcan has since revealed he broke his ankle.
Crowley added: “I’m taking a month off to let my body heal. I have been asked to ride in Qatar in the New Year and I’ll probably just have a few rides on the all-weather between now and then.”
Tylicki, 30, is reported to be ‘in good spirits’. And medics reported on Wednesday he remains in a stable condition.
His friend and fellow jockey Martin Lane said: “I saw Freddy in hospital just after the incident.
“He was groggy but awake and very chatty with everyone in the ICU before he had his scans. He was in good spirits.”
Drowne recalled the incident. He said: “Freddy never moved and Jim was in a bit of pain and worried about his neck.
“The doctors were very concerned about Freddy and immediately called for the air ambulance.
“I reckon you are due a fall one in every 500 rides. It was unfortunate it turned out so badly.”
