Harriet Bethell 'talking sense and remembering lots' after horror fall

Harriet Bethell, who was left fighting for her life after suffering serious head injuries in a fall on the gallops, has woken from her coma.

The trainer has delighted doctors with her progress and has been moved to a rehabilitation hospital.

Background:

Trainer Harriet Bethell in intensive care after suffering head injuries in fall

Harriet Bethell has successful operation after serious head injury

Her father William Bethell, who has taken over the licence at her yard in East Yorkshire, said on Friday: "Things have changed for the better. She's come out of her coma and is awake and talking and recognising people. She's very softly spoken but she's talking sense and remembering lots. It's very encouraging.

"Yesterday she moved from Hull Royal Infirmary to Castle Hill Hospital, which is a rehab hospital near Hull. The doctors are very happy with her progress. The fact that she's gone from intensive care to a trauma unit to rehab is good.

"We have to be slightly guarded in our excitement because it's going to be a very, very long road to recovery, if you look at George Baker – I spoke to him this week and it's three years since his accident and he's still getting better."

Harriet Bethell, 33, was put in an induced coma after suffering a bleed in the head in the fall just over five weeks ago and her fate led to a nationwide outpouring of support, including from racing's governing body.

"Now they've got to concentrate on the speech therapy and the physiotherapy to get her body moving," William Bethell said. "If you've been in bed for five weeks you're not going to be moving very well, you're going to be a bit seized up.

"The family and I are still overwhelmed by the support we've received from everybody out there, especially in the racing world. The Injured Jockeys Fund has been fantastic in dealing with the hospital for us and planning where she might go after this hospital."

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