Aussie BMX star has serious spinal damage

More details have emerged of the serious spinal injuries that BMX star Sam Willoughby has suffered in a training crash.

Australia's Sam Willoughby

BMX star Sam Willoughby only has limited feeling in his legs after a serious training crash. (AAP)

Australian BMX star Sam Willoughby remains without feeling below his chest after a serious training crash which left him with spinal damage.

The family of the world champion and Olympic silver medallist has released more details of the serious injuries he suffered on September 10 in an American training crash.

"At this stage, Sam still has no movement from his chest down but has regained use of his arms and is slowly regaining some sensation in his legs," Willoughby's family said in a statement released by Cycling Australia.

"Sam's next step is to begin a long road of recovery at a rehabilitation centre and, while the details are still to be finalised, at this stage, it is expected that Sam will be transported to a US-based rehabilitation centre in the next few days."

Willoughby crashed at his local track in Chula Vista, near San Diego, and was airlifted to hospital.

He suffered fractures to his C6 and C7 vertebrae, severely compressing his spinal cord and leaving him with no movement below the chest.

Willoughby underwent surgery, with the C6 vertabrae removed and replaced by a titanium cage.

His C5 and C7 vertebrae were also fused with a plate and four screws.

"Fortunately, this surgery was successful enough at decompressing his spinal cord and aligning his vertebrae that a second operation for further stabilisation was not necessary," the family added.

The family added the support for Willoughby has been incredible and they had set up a web portal where people could provide financial support and leave messages.

Willoughby won silver in BMX at the 2012 Olympics and made the final in Rio, but finished a surprise sixth.

He also is a two-time world champion.

His American fiancee Alise Post won BMX silver in Rio.

Post and Willoughby's parents, Colin and Sharon, provided the statement about Willoughby's injuries.


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world