A leading Newcastle-based horse racing trainer suffered a horrifying riding accident and has broken his back and pelvis – but he has paid tribute to the “phenomenal” Royal Victoria Infirmary trauma team who are looking after him.
Borders native Paul Robson, a former jockey himself, was airlifted to the RVI on Thursday last week after the accident while out riding at his Hazelrigg training yard. Paul took over the yard last year.
He told ChronicleLive that while he wasn’t in great shape, his recovery had begun well. He said: “I’m not great – there are breaks at the bottom of my back and in my pelvis. I’m not on my feet yet but I’ve been able to do a few steps on the zimmer.
“I’m in the RVI and the trauma team here have been fantastic. I only broke everything six days ago and I am leaps and bounds ahead of where I should be [with my recovery]. I’ll hopefully be back to Hazlerigg in three or so weeks.”
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He is waiting for the breaks in his pelvis and lower back to knit together, but has been told by medics that he has been relatively lucky – and that the breaks have been “clean” and thus should heal without the need for pins or plates.
On Saturday, Paul had shared an update online. He said: “I saw the surgeon yesterday and he’s satisfied that I don’t need an operation. There are three breaks in my pelvis and I have a fracture at the bottom of my tailbone.
“Thankfully they’re all clean ones so they should heal naturally without the need for any pins or plates being put in – which is great news. Right now I’m lacking the motor skills to walk so I’ll be in the hospital for a few weeks until that all comes back.”
As for the hospital staff, he was full of praise. Paul said: “The RVI has been absolutely phenomenal looking after me, I’m getting three physio sessions a day at the moment so couldn’t be in a better place. I also want to say thanks to everyone who has been in touch over the last few days, my phone has been going non-stop with texts and messages on social media.”
He even reassured well-wishers that the training yard’s operations would continue seamlessly despite his injury. He added: ” The yard is in great hands with my wife Steph, our families who have moved in to help out and the staff. Our horses haven’t missed a minute of work just because I’m not there!
“I’ve been keeping myself busy in my bed looking at entries and catching up on the admin work – it’s been good to have something to keep my mind occupied. It doesn’t look like there’s going to be much racing to miss this week anyway so hopefully I’ll be back on the yard and at the track before too long.”
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