Lewis Goodchild has a pretty hot racing pedigree. He shares a house with his dad, racing legend Jim Goodchild, world class racer and events organiser of the JSRA, Lisa Barsby, and Gracie, the family labrador. It is a household steeped in the sport of jet ski racing.

Jet Sports has fewer accidents than most other power sports, but in May of this year Lewis Goodchild had a lifethreatening accident while racing at Tattershall Country Parks in the Ski Limited class. Fortunately he is on track to make a full recovery, thanks to the prompt efficiency of the JSRA team. Sue Baggaley asked Lewis about the accident and his recovery.

How did your accident in May happen?
If you want my honest answer...I have no idea. I’m told I was in the lead going up to the holeshot, the back of my ski got hit from behind and I lost control. Whilst in mid-air I got hit by another rider in my ribcage and then my neck. I was then face down in the water taking the lake water in through my lungs.

What do you remember about the accident?
I remember talking to my holder before the race on the start line and I said “I am not looking forward to this race” That’s the only thing I remember.

What injuries did you sustain?
I broke my cervical vertebra C2 (odontoid peg)
I broke six ribs
Tore my liver
Punctured my right lung
Bruised my left lung

What treatment did you have?
I had a screw fixed through the odontoid peg to re-attach it to the vertebra (it was very risky because it went through the peg and out the other side, 3mm away from my spinal cord), they cut through the muscles in my neck/throat and went up past my gullet. The ribs are fixing themselves and so is the liver.

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