JOCKEY’S BROKEN NECK

Northern Advocate, 7 November 1932, Page 9

JOCKEY’S BROKEN NECK

MELBOURNE CUP TANNER. DUNCAN’s. UNIQUE. RECORD, ACCJ DENT THREE .TEARE ’ AGO. That a jockey can break Elis neck and .subsequently, ride?-to victory in the Melbourne Cup was--demonstrated at Eiemington last--Tuesday?-, by W. Duncan, the rider of Peter Pan;. : One November. 2?>, 19.29,.when. riding Quick Reward at the.-Epsom Turf Club’s meeting, Duncan- was thrown heavily to the course- > dlr.roug’h ' his mount stumbling. There was'mr immediate rush to his .assistance, for it was 'apparent' that' be. had' been seriously injured. As,. .he , moved and spoke, fears were, .-considerably-'reliev-ed, and a-lktle later•-am : officialannouncement- was nnade: that vhe; was in no danger. As lie is a-;vow- „popular rider, the announcement wan;., placed on the scratching board, an -unusual procedure,. but one that. .wow-followed in view of-the keen de.sirc-v-.of: the pub-, lie to ascertain* his 'Condition, r • '

An examination-at the time Showed that he had receivodya.-broken- collarbone, a gash o\*er 'irlits’eyisraudv-a'" severely bruised- ankle. iM :■ sub : sMpaent examination by X-ray, . .however, - rex’ ealed 11 1 ef a efc-.th a .t : one of f-hfc vertebrac of- his neck w.as • .broken'- ' and another .dislocated/.: The fbrcakU: 'was

jVmfiu-ionr to cause immediate - death by .(breaking Tito, spinal c:ord, anil his iiyek was placed; in -splints/. .aFop ■some time his "life: was despaired’;'-of, .-anil for a lour.- poriocV after- apparent ‘ recovery he was:- not- permitted to race oven when, he desired toi do' so.

Besides winning, thtee ' races on Tuesday Duncan, who'is the : leading Victorian horseman, Ims the wifming of many other important -Australian races to his credit. -.ln 19-1-S Ikv-wou the Melbourne. Gup on Night -Watch, and on two occasions : hasI’■riddeff' 1 ’■riddeff' the winner of the Caulfield' Gup'"Maple in ID2S and High Syce'-i-n 1929V'" “it wicc also he has ridden tV; victory" iff'the Australian Cup,- his first performance being on Accarak, ..in 3924,- gnd the second when" lie rode CWry. On, in 19.11. / ' Z