Former England striker’s son a medical miracle – ‘I’m first person on record to survive this injury’

9 months ago 61

A FORMER England striker’s son is a medical miracle – as he is the first person on record to have survived an otherwise catastrophic injury.

Jack Channon, the son of ex-Three Lions and legendary Southampton forward Mick, was just 15 when he and his old man were in a car crash.

Mick Channon (L) with his son Jack at Salisbury racecourse on June 28, 2017 in Salisbury, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Mick Channon, England

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They were travelling back from horse sales at Doncaster in 2008 when the driver of the car suffered heart failure and died at the wheel.

Mick, who after hanging up his boots became a hugely successful horse trainer, and Jack were asleep in the vehicle.

The horrific M1 crash left both seriously injured, but Jack, 30, who now has taken over his dad’s West Ilsley yard, had a recovery that left doctors stunned.

He told the Racing Post: “I was pretty banged up, broke ten vertebrae, every single rib bar one, my leg and arm.

“There’s also a little bone at the bottom of your skull which is attached by ligaments.

“When those ligaments stretch it’s what they call whiplash, but I completely snapped them and was the first person on record to ever survive that injury.

“They still use my x-rays for medical training.”

After his brush with death, Jack now dreams of following in his dad’s footsteps in racing.

Mind you, he knew he couldn’t in football because, by his own admission, he ‘can’t kick a ball’.

Jack said previously of his path into racing: “I thought about football for a little while – then I realised I couldn’t kick a ball.

“It wasn’t the route for me.

“I’m not talented enough to be professional in any other sport but that competition and competitive edge from racing really drew me in, the desire to beat everyone else.

“I play all sports but I’m not very good at the rest of them!

“And I was going up the gallops at four or five years old.

“I remember being there when Imperial Dancer was working up the gallops, I was falling asleep at 5.30 in the morning and missing the work!

“But I have been besotted with racing for as long as I can remember.

“And it’s been my aim all my life to take over from the boss.”

And in fairness it looks to have been a shrewd move.

He’s had 30 winners from 210 runs so far this season, picking up more than £650,000 in prize money.

Jack celebrated a big winner at Glorious Goodwood when huge 25-1 outsider Johan won the Golden Mile and with it the £77,310 first-place prize.

And he looks to have a hugely promising filly in the shape of Caernarfon.

She finished fourth in the 1000 Guineas, went down just two lengths when coming third in the Epsom Oaks and finished close to Nassau Stakes winner Al Husn last time out.

For Jack the future is bright – but it’s a miracle he’s even here.