By Brendan Rees
A veteran horse trainer and racing stalwart is in hospital after reportedly being kicked by a horse at the Cranbourne Training Complex (CTC) on Friday 12 July.
Bruce Purcell, 76, remains in a critical but stable condition at the Alfred hospital after he was kicked by horse while unloading it from a float at the CTC, and suffering serious head injuries, Racing.com reported.
He has multiple fractures around his head, face and ribs, Cranbourne trainer and president of the Australian Trainers’ Association, Robbie Griffiths told Racing.com.
Mr Griffiths said Mr Purcell was placed in an induced coma after being airlifted to hospital.
“They’re keeping him in an induced coma quite a lot to make sure his body has a chance to rest and get some peace so that he can recover,” he said.
A trainer of more than 50 years and past president of the Cranbourne Trainer’s Association, Mr Purcell is described as a “highly respected” and “passionate.”
Cranbourne Turf Club CEO Neil Bainbridge said club’s thoughts and prayers were with Mr Purcell’s family and friends.
“Our priority at the moment is doing everything we can to support his wife and their immediate family and friends, and praying and wishing for a speedy recovery,” he said.
“He’s been an icon in the Cranbourne racing industry let alone the Victorian racing industry,” adding he was an integral part of the CTC when it opened in 1990.
“We’re hoping Bruce makes a full recovery and continues to have significant success.”
