Two Victorian harness racing drivers remain in hospital with complications from serious injuries sustained in a horror fall at the Bendigo trials over a week ago (Aug 12).
Ellen Tormey and Tony Xiriha were hurt when Xirihaās horse fell in front of Tormeyās, and she was then hit from behind by another runner.
Xiriha sustained a broken collarbone in the incident, but his son Ben said the 59-year-old was now facing some complications in recovery.
āIt was looking as though he was on the mend, but heās been getting blood clots which have been getting worse, and his legs are swelling up,ā Ben said.
āHe has got fluid on the lungs which is putting more stress on his heart so he could be in hospital for a long time yet,ā he said.
Meanwhile, Tormey also remains in hospital for longer than anticipated with a traumatic hip injury. She was expecting to be discharged early this week, but says some minor setbacks need to be sorted out first.
The 34-year-old suffered a dislocated and fractured hip, broken ribs and a small tear in her lung and was taken to Bendigo hospital and transferred to the Epworth in Melbourne for surgery late last week.
āItās not just a simple thing, itās a trauma injury like someone whoās been in a car crash.Ā Your body needs time to recover, so I know itās not going to be a quick road back,ā Tormey said.
āThe surgery went well, but Iāve had trouble with my blood pressure dropping every time I get out of bed. Theyāre going to do some more scans to see whatās causing that, whether itās blood clots or something else, so everythingās a bit up in the air at the moment about when Iāll get home,ā she said.
Tormeyās partner Jack Laugher and staffer Liam Older have been managing the workload at the stable while Tormey focusses on her recovery, but the setbacks have also limited her rehabilitation program.
āIn reality I canāt really go home until I can manage on my own, because Jack and Liam are away so much,ā she said.
āWeāve had to turn out some of the young horses, but the boys have been doing a great job.Ā Jackās mum came over (from Tasmania) last week and sheās a ripper ā she goes at the pace of five people, and Jackās dad has been great too.
āTayla Fellows has helped us out, taking some to the races too, and weāve had heaps of offers of help which has been lovely. You really find out how many friends you have when something like this happens.ā
Tormey said the impact had bent and snapped her joint, with the surgery aimed at limiting the risk of further dislocations and arthritis in future.
āI had a few emotional days early on, but Iāve really accepted now that it will take as long as it takes,ā she said.
Tormey recorded a career-high 160 driving wins last season, and had been on track for another terrific season, with 82 wins so far.
āIām not allowed to do anything weight bearing for six weeks but itāll be months before I can drive again.Ā And Iām definitely not in any rush to get back to that side of things.Ā I just want to be able to help out. If I can get back and just drive the jogger thatāll help.Ā But once I am on the road to recovery hopefully thereāll be no stopping me!ā
by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink