OWNER WALTERS INJURED IN HELICOPTER CRASH

Prominent racehorse owner Dai Walters and trainer Sam thomas have been injured in a terrifying helicopter crash. Successful businessman Walters, who was largely responsible for the creation of Ffos Las racecourse and remains honorary chairman at the South Wales venue, was one of five people involved in the incident which occurred in woods in Llanelidan, near ruthin, Denbighshire. they were returning home from a shoot when the helicopter came down in high winds and heavy rain. Walters was reported to have suffered serious injuries and was taken to Glan Clwyd Hospital near rhyl for treatment. thomas, who was allowed to return home with minor injuries, reportedly assisted in carrying Walters from the wreckage before a local runner administered CPr to the 76-year-old millionaire. Sophie Vaughan-evans, 30, told MailOnline: ‘my husband was out jogging when the chopper crashed. one of the gamekeepers flagged him down and asked if he knew first aid. Luckily my husband was ex-forces so he knew what to do. the elderly trainer was unconscious and my husband did CPr and brought him round. He was then talking so seemed to be all right. ‘Apparently the helicopter had taken off but clipped the top of the tree and came down.’ thomas trains at the Hollies Stables owned by Walters on the outskirts of Cardiff and has enjoyed a promising start to the season. the pair came close to a winner at Chepstow yesterday when range finished second in the closing race. thomas, 38, who won the Welsh national with iwilldoit last December, had huge success in his riding days, most famously aboard Denman in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2008.