‘He is fighting hard’: Jockey out of induced coma after fall at Moruya

Blake Spriggs is showing positive signs while remaining in a critical but stable condition with significant internal injuries on Saturday, while Beany Panya broke her back in two places after the jockeys fell at a race meeting at Moruya on Friday.

Panya and Spriggs were dislodged as the field rounded the home turn in the sixth race and transported to Canberra Hospital. The remaining two races were abandoned as the pair were treated. Their mounts, Blesstas and The Boomerang, reportedly escaped injury.

Spriggs suffered head, chest and internal injuries and was intubated and placed in an induced coma, but his brother, Dustin, posted a positive update on X on Saturday afternoon.

“He came out of an induced coma this morning. He was responsive, knew who all his loved ones were and is fighting hard,” Dustin wrote.

“He has a lot of internal bleeding from a punctured lung, which they’re getting on top of. He is still heavily sedated whilst they are working on broken ribs and collarbone.

“A lot of work to go but we are over the moon about news the last 12 hours as he was in a bad way when he arrived at the hospital.”

Panya also sustained a head injury but woke late on Friday night and recognised supporters, according to a post by her twin sister and fellow jockey, Deanne.

“Approx 12am Beany woke up and recognised her partner, and fellow jockey and friend Robyn Freeman, by her side. Although she doesn’t remember the fall, she asked a few questions about the event and had a little chat. She has fractured her T6 & T7,” Deanne wrote on Facebook.

Panya, 31, was originally listed as in a serious but stable condition at Moruya Hospital before being transported to Canberra Hospital.