Irish jockey Shane Prendergast has come out of an induced coma, after falling during a race in Tipperary on Sunday.
The 19-year-old from Carlow was aboard Jack The Snake in a point-to-point race, when he fell. He suffered head and back injuries as a result, and was airlifted to the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore.
Some bruising was located on his brain as well as fractures on his vertebrae, according to the Turf Club's chief medical officer, Dr Adrian McGoldrick.
Speaking to Racing.com following the accident, McGoldrick said:
"At this stage, there's nothing to indicate there's any permanent spinal damage. The next week will tell us a lot but I'd be cautiously optimistic for him."
McGoldrick also explained that Prendergast will not require surgery for the bruising on his brain and that 'it would be the norm to put him in an induced coma in those circumstances.'
Prendergast was in his first full season in the saddle when the fall occurred on the course in Ballingarry. He is now expected to be transferred to the Mater Hospital for surgery on his back.
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