Female Jockey Suffers Spinal Injuries In Race Fall
Illawarra Mercury
Monday June 1, 1998
One of Australia's leading female jockeys suffered severe spinal injuries when she fell from a horse during a race in Hobart yesterday.
Four jockeys and their horses fell during the first race at Elwick Racecourse.
Three jockeys were taken to Royal Hobart Hospital, including Beverley Buckingham-King, who remained in a serious but stable condition.
Buckingham-King's mount broke two legs and was destroyed.
A hospital spokesman said the jockey suffered ``serious spinal injuries" but had some sensation in her legs and was able to move her arms.
He said staff were preparing to move Buckingham-King, 33, to Melbourne within the next few days, and a family friend confirmed there were plans to move her to the Austin Hospital.
Buckingham-King has been a leading jockey in Tasmania for the past 15 years, winning the state's 1996 and 1995 premierships but might never race again after her fall.
The family friend said Buckingham-King was operated on for four hours last night to relieve pressure on her spinal cord.
He said Buckingham-King was thrown over the front of her horse but the exact details of the accident were unclear.
The matter was under investigation by racing authorities, the friend said.
Two of the other jockeys were uninjured while another suffered a broken arm in the fall.
© 1998 Illawarra Mercury
