Wife of injured Jim Clark Rally spectator says donating is right thing.
The wife of a spectator injured during the horror Jim Clark Rally has revealed he is winning his battle for life.
Relieved Jenifer McCleary said husband Keith has turned a corner in his fight to recover from traumatic crash injuries. He suffered a shattered pelvis and serious internal injuries after he was hit by a rally car last Saturday.
Three people died in a day of carnage.
Last night Jenifer said: “We have every hope that he will survive and have been told his injuries are no longer life-threatening. It could have been a lot worse because others lost their lives and we feel so much for their families.”
Jenifer, 57, has been keeping a round-the-clock bedside vigil. She has only left his side once to attend a blood donor session near their home town of Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway.
Jenifer said: “I was determined to keep the appointment especially after the life-saving medical care Keith is having. It was the right thing to do.”
Long-standing blood donor, Jenifer, revealed she has made 75 donations and urged others to sign up.
“It is a life-saving gesture which can mean so much to those who are ill or injured.”
The dad-of-three was watching the event when a rally car careered off the road at Eccles, near Coldstream, and smashed into the crowd. Four others were injured, and three were killed in a second crash two hours later.
Former rally driver Keith, 61, was taken to Borders District General hospital and stabilised for an emergency transfer to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Intensive care specialists are believed to have put him into a coma help him survive his horrendous injuries. Daughter, Nicolle, who lives with her mum and dad, thanked people for their messages of good will.
She said: “It has been a shock but we are a close family and are coping well. We’re so relieved dad is stable and are supporting each other through this.
“Many people have been very kind and supportive and we will be forever grateful to them.”
Roland Proudlock, secretary of the South of Scotland Car Club, said the injured spectator is well known on the rally circuit.
He said: “Keith is a popular guy and we are all rooting for him. It was a terrible incident and I sympathise with the victims and their families.”
Experienced driver Keith won the Galloway Hills Rally in 1972 with friend, Ivor Clark. They returned to the sport last October for the 40th anniversary Armstrong Galloway Hills Rally.
Iain John Provan, 64, and Elizabeth Allan, 63, both of Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, and John Leonard Stern, 71, of Bearsden, Glasgow, died in the incident. A police investigation is under way.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, last week announced a review of motorsport safety in Scotland.
“We must learn lessons and we will learn lessons,” he said.
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