Trainer Garry Kirkup has woken from abdominal surgery to repair injuries he suffered in a single car accident in which his partner, Samara Johnson, was killed.
The two were travelling on the the Gundagai Road at Eurongilly in the NSW Riverina on Sunday afternoon when the car left the road, hit a tree and caught fire.
Johnson, a popular track rider and picnic jockey, died at the scene and Kirkup was airlifted to Canberra Hospital where he was placed in an induced coma.
He underwent surgery on Sunday night and again on Tuesday morning.
“Doctors have reported everything has gone as well as possible following abdominal surgery,” Racing NSW said.
“Garry is in a lot of pain which is being managed. He will have further surgery on his hand and foot injuries over the coming days when swelling subsides.”
Kirkup’s fellow Canberra trainers have rallied to care for the stable’s horses while ACT-based chaplain, Bob Prior, has provided support to family and friends since the accident.
