Popular jockey dies in hospital after losing both legs in tragic incident
The tragic news was confirmed on Saturday
A veteran jockey has died two weeks after getting trapped underneath his horse in a freak accident.
Shane McGovern had to have both of his legs amputated after his horse Reformist collapsed and died on top of him at his stables in North Queensland, Australia, earlier this month. He was left trapped for six hours underneath the nine-year-old horse, which is believed to have suffered an aneurysm, before then being discovered by his wife Kim and rushed straight to hospital.
Having had the blood supply to his legs cut off in the incident, which occurred on April 8, the 67-year-old jockey had his left leg amputated below his knee, while his right leg was also later removed.
Doctors also found that he had dislocated his shoulder and broken several ribs in the accident.
On Thursday, it was announced that McGovern had been moved into palliative care and he passed away in hospital on Saturday, with the Australian racing community left in mourning.
"We are devastated to announce that after a hard-fought battle, Queensland jockey Shane McGovern passed away this morning," read a statement from the Australian Jockeys Association as the tragic news was announced.
“Our hearts go out to his family and friends. May Shane now rest in peace.”
Racing Queensland’s CEO Lachland Murray said: “First and foremost, our sincerest condolences are extended to Kim and the McGovern family.
"On behalf of Racing Queensland and the board, our thoughts are with them at this tragic time.
"Shane was a natural horseman, dedicating his entire life to the thoroughbred industry, and has been an invaluable supporter of racing in the north and north west of the state.
“He was universally loved and admired amongst those who had the pleasure of knowing Shane, and his unwavering commitment to the industry – particularly in the regional areas of the state – was integral over a number of years," Murray added.
“It’s important that we rally together and for our participants to be supported, and we will be providing support services for industry participants who are grieving Shane’s loss.”
McGovern was a popular member of the racing community in Australia and had ridden more than 200 winners after competing in 1,885 races over the course of his career.
Speaking days after the incident, his wife who found him said: "I thought ‘well, that’s Shane, he’ll just go off for a ride’, which is what he does because the horse was supposed to be racing on Monday.
"But I’m absolutely kicking myself, and it’s a thing I will never forget. And then this ghoulish little arm comes up, and he says ‘I’m alright’."