Injured Bobsleigher Serita Takes First Steps

Injured Bobsleigher Serita Shone from Weymouth, has taken her first steps since breaking her spine in a crash in Germany in October.

The 22 year old was injured along with team-mate Fiona Harrison when their bobsleigh crashed during training. Bobsleigh driver Fiona suffered head injuries and was released from hospital after a few days, but Serita needed surgery for her injuries.

A statement on the official Team GB Bobsleigh team website read:

Following her second spinal operation Serita continues to make a good recovery. She is still in the spinal unit at the German hospital but it is hoped that she will return to the UK within the next 10 days.

Serita's parents and a member of the Great Britain Bobsleigh Coaching Team are with her in the hospital.

She has taken her first assisted steps since the accident and is undergoing spinal mobility rehabilitation.

Performance Director Gary Anderson states

" I am in constant contact with the hospital and we received very positive news this morning that Serita had undertaken her first small walk, assisted by the rehabilitation staff, since her operations. She is in a very positive frame of mind. The doctors in the UK are in contact with the hospital and planning for her return to the UK and her next stage of treatment and rehabilitation. Our focus now is to get Serita home to the UK as soon as the doctors give us the say so. We can then focus on her rehabilitation, Serita is one determined young athlete and we need to provide her with best opportunity and environment for her to recover.

I would also like to mention that the hospital staff have been magnificent and have really looked after Serita well, they have also ensured that her family and bobsleigh staff have been catered for."

Serita's team mates visited her on Sunday 6th November - their rest day - as they continue their preparation for the start of the FIBT season.