'Small steps of progress' for injured trainer Harriet Bethell after fall

Harriet Bethell is reported to be making progress after suffering serious head injuries in a fall on the gallops that left her fighting for her life.

She remains in a coma in hospital in Hull, having come through an operation following the accident last month.

But her father William Bethell, who has taken over the training licence at her yard in East Yorkshire, said on Tuesday: "She's making small steps of progress. She's not out of a coma yet but is showing signs of coming out. Her eyes are opening.

"It happened four weeks ago and we still have a good few people coming to see her. Talking to her is important because they say the first thing to come back is the hearing. We play winning races of her horses in her ears and that picks her up."

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

Her father said: "Jerry Hill, the BHA doctor, has taken a real interest and been a fantastic help. He's trying to organise consultants and rehab. But it's going to be a very long job."

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