Apprentice Kelsey Hannan out of induced coma after scary fall at Strathalbyn

21-year-old apprentice jockey Kelsey Hannan has been cleared of spinal cord damage after being flown to hospital on Sunday.

Apprentice Kelsey Hannan is out of an induced coma. Picture: Tom Biddington

After a few worrying hours it is a positive outcome for South Australian-based apprentice Kelsey Hannan, who is out of an induced coma and has been cleared of spinal cord damage after a scary incident at the Strathalbyn races on Sunday.

The New Zealander was flown to Royal Adelaide Hospital after her mount Iva Dream came down shortly after passing the winning post in the opening race, sending her into the turf.

The 21-year-old was in and out of consciousness after the fall and complaining of neck soreness when the decision was made to place her in an induced coma and take the quick route to hospital, with the rest of the Strathalbyn Cup meeting subsequently postponed.

Once Hannan got to hospital, the major fears were allayed with scans confirming she had a stable fracture in her C1 vertebrae but no spinal cord damage and she was awake later that evening.

She is going to be fitted with a neck brace and is a chance to be released later on Monday.

READ: Young jockey hospitalised after fall at Strathalbyn

“Racing SA is pleased to advise that apprentice jockey Kelsey Hannan has been cleared of any serious injury following her fall at Strathalbyn yesterday,” Racing SA said in a statement.

“She has been diagnosed with a stable fracture in her C1 vertebrae and has not suffered any spinal cord damage. We anticipate that she will be released from hospital within the next 24 hours.

“On behalf of her family and the entire riding group, our thanks go to the team at the Royal Adelaide Hospital for their outstanding care of Kelsey and to the wider racing community for their messages of love and support.”

Hannan was a star apprentice in her homeland before making a big splash when arriving in SA on a short-term loan to Michael Hickmott in August, snaring seven winners from her first five meetings, including six at metro level.

But after making the move permanent in October, she suffered a broken jaw at trackwork and spent two-and-a-half months on the sidelines, only making her return in late December.

Hannan is now set for another extended break but is expected to make a full recovery.

The rest of the postponed meeting, including the $107,250 Strathalbyn Cup, will be run on Friday afternoon.

Originally published as Apprentice Kelsey Hannan out of induced coma after scary fall at Strathalbyn