Harrison's parents and sisters fly in from Britain as jockey undergoes tests on neck and back injuries

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Published: 12:00am, 2 Jun 2001

David Harrison remained in a serious but stable condition yesterday as his family flew in from Britain to be at the bedside of the injured jockey following his horrific fall at Sha Tin on Wednesday.

There was a news blackout on details of the jockey's condition at the family's request, but unofficial reports suggested the Welshman was 'improving slowly'.

Harrison's parents David and Joyce cut short a holiday in Spain after hearing of their son's fall and flew back to England, where they joined their daughters Joanne Roberts and Sue Harrison to catch a flight to Hong Kong. They arrived yesterday lunchtime and headed straight to the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin, where they joined Harrison's wife Abby at the jockey's bedside.

The next 48 hours are considered crucial for Harrison, who is understood not to have had an operation but is undergoing further tests, including an MRI scan, to establish the extent of the damage to the areas around his neck and back.

Harrison has been conscious since the fall and has been able to speak to his wife and family, but his movement is restricted and he has undergone physiotherapy to stimulate his body.

Harrison, 28, was injured when he was thrown from My Chief shortly after the start of the 1,200-metre race which closed Wednesday's card. The jockey's mount - among the backmarkers at the time - is believed to have struck the heels of the preceding Romantic Symphony, though the full sequence of events has yet to be determined as the Jockey Club stewards have adjourned the inquiry into the incident to await developments.

Harrison arrived in February on a Jockey Club contract until the end of the season, and the Club is providing 'every assistance' to the jockey's family in terms of medical help and support. The Club was instrumental in bringing in Professor David Fang, an internationally renowned specialist on spinal injuries, to back up the team of doctors at the Prince of Wales.