Jockey Chris Meehan is hoping to return to action in September, less than three months after being run over by an ambulance.
The County Down native was knocked unconscious and required 27 stitches to a gash along his jaw after he was kicked in the face during a nasty fall in Italy in early July.
Those injuries worsened, however, when the ambulance that came to the 22-year-old's aid ran over his leg, an incident that forced the young jockey to undergo surgery on his return to Northern Ireland.
Meehan returned to riding for the first time on Wednesday and although he is still recovering recovery from his injuries, he remains hopeful he can return to competitive action before the month is out.
He told The Daily Telegraph: “I went over to Brian Hamilton, near Downpatrick – he was a trainer who helped me get started as a jockey – and he kindly let me come down and ride.
“I'm just taking it one day at a time. The break has healed but I still have a bit of ligament damage and it does cause me a bit of pain. Luckily, Cloughey Beach is near home and I've been down there exercising in the sea, as the salt water is good for injuries.
“The weight's good and I'll hopefully be back at the end of September or early October.”
