John McPhee leaves hospital after horror crash
FOLLOWING his recent accident in the Australian Moto3 Grand Prix at Phillip Island, Connel’s John McPhee was taken to the St Kilda Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.
Following tests at the hospi- tal, doctors found that both of his lungs had been perforated in the crash and at present he has lost around 40 per cent of their function.
John has been told his lungs will heal naturally but it will take some weeks for them to be back to normal.
He can exercise gently to help their healing and has a further appointment to check progress.
John also broke his right thumb in the accident and this has now been operated on. As a result of his perforated lungs, John will not be able to fly for another month or so which leaves him stranded in Australia until they heal and the trapped air between the lungs and chest wall dissipates.
John’s parents Alasdair and Margaret have flown over to be with him.
He is staying positive, but is naturally frustrated his recovery will take some time. He will not only miss the last two races this year, just when his crew had got his Peugeot bike performing at its best, but may now be excluded from end- of-season tests to prepare for next year.
‘I’m very comfortable,’ said John, ‘and the staff at the Philip Island circuit, the clinical mobile unit and at the hospital were fantastic.
‘Considering the bang I had, I don’t feel that bad and now I just want to get back to full fitness as soon as possible.’
He was releasd from hospital at the weekend.
John thanks everyone for their messages of support on Facebook and Twitter.
‘It means a great deal to me,’ he said.