Serita improving

Thursday 3 November 2011

Former Cardiff athlete Serita Shone, who was involved in a serious bobsleigh crash a week ago, is showing signs of improvement although it is likely to be a long and slow process.

Serita competed for Cardiff's UK Women's League team as a higher performance athlete and was a heptathlete before switching to the bobsleigh.

She was a poplular and versatile member of the team and we wish her well.

The accident occured during training for the British Bobsleigh Championships in Winterburg, Germany and apparently the bobsleigh came off the track at high speed near the bottom of the run.

Unfortunately, Serita fractured her back but was in a stable condition in hospital after surgery.

Serita, who is 22 and from Dorset, had only joined the bobsleigh squad last month after switching from athletics.

Her spokesman Ben Clatworthy told BBC Sport: "Serita is a very determined athlete who wants to succeed in everything she does and had recently been selected for the British bobsleigh team.

"Bobsleigh is described as Formula 1 on ice and, like Formula 1, it can never be 100% safe. Our thoughts are with her and her family and friends at this time."

A statement from the British Bobsleigh Association two days ago said that:

"Serita Shone has undergone further surgery today and is recovering in a German hospital. Her family and a coach from the GBR Bobsleigh team are at her bedside. A spokesman from the hospital has confirmed that the surgery went well but said that the rehabilitation will be a long process. Serita's condition is described as "comfortable".

Performance Director Gary Anderson said "We are all thinking of Serita. She was in the operating theatre for a long time but I understand the surgeons are satisfied with the operation. I am told she will be in some discomfort and receiving medication to relieve the pain. All the GBR staff and athletes thoughts are with Serita and her family".