Brendan Johnson.
SPEEDWAYWIGHTLINK Islanders’ teenage speedway rider Brendan Johnson, who suffered serious head injuries in an horrific crash a week ago, is now in a stable condition at Southampton General Hospital.
Brendan, 17, was rushed to St Mary’s Hospital following a crash at Smallbrook Stadium during the Islanders’ National League Trophy clash with Mildenhall Fen Tigers.
The crash happened when his bike locked with the machine ridden by Jamie Birkinshaw. The two crashed heavily but while Birkinshaw was straight to his feet, Johnson was knocked unconscious.
Brendan was later transferred to Southampton and put in on a life support machine, where doctors warned the following 24 hours would be critical.
He remained in an induced coma for three days, with his parents, Jan and Dave, by his bedside. As messages flooded in from Islanders’ supporters and speedway fans, encouraging news emerged that spinal X-rays had revealed no serious damage and on Sunday evening, he was taken off the life support machines, medically awakened from his coma, and was breathing unaided.
Dave said in a statement: "All Jan and I could do was hope upon hope that nothing would go wrong, and I cannot describe my feelings when the doctor told me that all the various tubes had been removed and that Brendan was breathing unaided.
"It felt that a huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders and I know Jan felt the same.
"That feeling of both joy and sheer relief when they imparted the good news to us was simply indescribable, as I’m sure everyone can appreciate, and can I just thank all our friends and everyone within this sport of ours for all their support."
By Tuesday, Brendan — who suffered a partially collapsed lung as a result of all the tubes he required — had been moved onto a general ward and preparations were being made to transfer him to Poole General Hospital, near his family home.
Dave said: "He is in very good spirits. He’s just cheekily asked Jan if she thinks the doctors would let him ride this week, and wanted to make sure the Islanders’ management keeps his team place open for him as he himself intends to be back sooner rather than later."
The Islanders were further rocked this week when, at their home meeting against Plymouth on Tuesday, riders Tom Hill and the unrelated Chris Johnson were both injured in high-speed crashes and taken to hospital.
• Messages of support can be sent to Brendan Johnson c/o Wave 105 Smallbrook Stadium, Ashey Road, Ryde, PO33 4BH.
Reporter: sport@iwcpmail.co.uk