A YOUNG jockey who was trampled following a fall at Hexham Racecourse is recovering in hospital after doctors brought him out of an induced coma.

Henry Brooke is thought to have suffered a collapsed lung and broken collarbone after falling from Old Storm at the second fence of a two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase on Saturday.

Racing was delayed for almost two hours as the course medical team worked with North East Ambulance Service crew members, and medics from the Great North Air Ambulance, to treat Brooke at the scene.

The 25-year-old, who hails from Middleham in Yorkshire, was placed in an induced coma following the incident at 3.25pm before being flown to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.

However, within 24 hours, a statement released by the Injured Jockeys’ Fund brought positive news.

“He’s had a much more comfortable day and has regained consciousness which is fantastic news,” the update, released on Sunday, said.

“The doctors are pleased with his progress.”

And by Monday morning, Brooke himself took to Twitter to reassure his followers he was on the road to recovery.

He wrote: “Thank you so much for everyone’s support and well wishes!! On the mend now and hope not to be out for too long!”

Brooke competed in the last four Grand National races and led the field on the first circuit of this year’s race. He was the winner of the 2012 British Conditional Jockeys Championship.

“He’s on the up and was among the top 12 jockeys in the country, so this will be a bit of a setback,” said James Armstrong, clerk of the course at both Hexham and Newcastle.

“But Henry seems to be in good spirits because there’s talk from his agent that he hopes to be out of hospital by the end of the week.

“We all know this sport carries dangers and we’re all aware of what can happen, but it’s still hard when someone is seriously injured like this.

“Our thoughts are with Henry and his family at this time and we wish him a speedy and full recovery.

“I’d like to pay tribute to the hard-working and dedicated medical team at Hexham for the work they did under very difficult circumstances.”

gemma.brown@hexham-courant.co.uk