Astraman
01-06-2000, 04:24 PM
DETTORI INJURED AFTER FATAL PLANE CRASH
Frankie Dettori and Ray Cochrane have been taken to hospital after a light plane crashed on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket.
The pilot died whilst Dettori is suffering from a leg injury and Cochrane is understood to be unconscious. Suffolk Police said the plane had gone down on an area of the racecourse known as the Devil's Dyke.
Suffolk Fire Service sent five appliances to the scene at 12.31pm and more than 20 officers were involved in dealing with the burning plane and freeing the injured.
Dettori is now doubtful to be fit to ride in the Derby on Saturday week - the one Classic he has yet to win in an otherwise illustrious career. He was due to partner Best Of The Bests for Godolphin in this year's race.
Dettori's agent Andrew Stringer said: "He rang me from the hospital to say that he's OK."
Peter Burell, Dettori's other agent, told Sky News: "I have only just heard about the accident. Unfortunately it is a very serious accident. Ray and Frankie are on their way to hospital. They appear to be OK but I understand the pilot has died.
"Frankie and Ray would have been going to Goodwood. The planes take them from the July course in Newmarket. They fly to afternoon meetings and evening meetings. The planes are well maintained and the pilots are very professional.
"All we are thinking about right now is the pilot and his family and whether Frankie and Ray are going to make a full recovery.
"They have a very hectic lifestyle. They are flying all around the world. I am sure both Frankie and Ray will bounce back from this.
"I understand Ray is unconscious and that Frankie has some damage to his legs but I can't confirm that."
Burrell added: "It is the family of the pilot we are worried about. I don't know about their (Dettori and Cochrane's) condition. I know they have gone in a helicopter to hospital."
It is the third plane accident to involve a sport star within a year. American golfer Payne Stewart lost his life along with four others when his Learjet crashed in South Dakota. British Formula One driver David Coulthard escaped serious injury only last month when the Learjet he was flying in crashed in France killing both pilots.
Frankie Dettori and Ray Cochrane have been taken to hospital after a light plane crashed on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket.
The pilot died whilst Dettori is suffering from a leg injury and Cochrane is understood to be unconscious. Suffolk Police said the plane had gone down on an area of the racecourse known as the Devil's Dyke.
Suffolk Fire Service sent five appliances to the scene at 12.31pm and more than 20 officers were involved in dealing with the burning plane and freeing the injured.
Dettori is now doubtful to be fit to ride in the Derby on Saturday week - the one Classic he has yet to win in an otherwise illustrious career. He was due to partner Best Of The Bests for Godolphin in this year's race.
Dettori's agent Andrew Stringer said: "He rang me from the hospital to say that he's OK."
Peter Burell, Dettori's other agent, told Sky News: "I have only just heard about the accident. Unfortunately it is a very serious accident. Ray and Frankie are on their way to hospital. They appear to be OK but I understand the pilot has died.
"Frankie and Ray would have been going to Goodwood. The planes take them from the July course in Newmarket. They fly to afternoon meetings and evening meetings. The planes are well maintained and the pilots are very professional.
"All we are thinking about right now is the pilot and his family and whether Frankie and Ray are going to make a full recovery.
"They have a very hectic lifestyle. They are flying all around the world. I am sure both Frankie and Ray will bounce back from this.
"I understand Ray is unconscious and that Frankie has some damage to his legs but I can't confirm that."
Burrell added: "It is the family of the pilot we are worried about. I don't know about their (Dettori and Cochrane's) condition. I know they have gone in a helicopter to hospital."
It is the third plane accident to involve a sport star within a year. American golfer Payne Stewart lost his life along with four others when his Learjet crashed in South Dakota. British Formula One driver David Coulthard escaped serious injury only last month when the Learjet he was flying in crashed in France killing both pilots.