The wife of Olympic rowing champion James Cracknell has told the media that he faces permanent brain damage following his bike accident last month.
The bike accident was so serious that for a few days the gold medallist’s life hung in the balance. Wife Beverly Turner feared she would have to switch off her partner’s life support machine.
The star has made a dramatic recovery, and is now semi conscious on a US recovery ward. However, his wife has revealed that James Cracknell will probably suffer minor brain damage and could take months before he feels ‘himself again’.
Bike Accident Survivor
Beverly spoke of her husband’s fighting spirit, and her belief that her James Cracknell’s ‘incredible fitness’ had saved his life.
Speaking in the Daily Telegraph, Ms Hunter said, ‘I’d spent years worrying that James would plunge down a crevasse in some remote wilderness, but it was a road traffic accident in the US that has left him with a fractured skull and damage to his brain’.
Helmet Saved Star
Only weeks ago, TV present Beverly Hunter and James had been photographed together by paparazzi at the Bafta television awards.
The retired athlete was hit by a truck in Arizona, USA whilst on a 400 mile ride, being filmed for the Discovery Channel. The horrific bike accident fractured his skull. Doctors believe that if it wasn’t for his helmet breaking his fall, James Cracknell would be dead.
Cracknell’s friend and fellow athlete Ben Fogle has spoken in the press to voice his firm belief in James’ recovery. ‘Luckily he was wearing a helmet. I know how driven and determined he is. If anyone is going to bounce back, it will be James.’
Cracknell is one of Britain’s most celebrated athletes, holding two Olympic Golds and six World Championship titles. He has two children under six years old. His bike accident is a stark reminder of the life saving benefits of cycle helmets.
