JOCKEYS Juan Paul van der Merwe and Ryan Curling were injured in a car accident on Monday night on their way back from Kimberley. Both are in a stable condition and are at the Wilned Clinic in Klerksdorp. 

According to Jockey Association chairman Tex Lerena, the pair was driving back from Kimberley and were about an hour outside Klerksdorp when the accident occurred around 7.30pm. “We are not sure exactly what happened but it appears they were hit by a truck from behind. The damage to the car is at the back on the driver’s side.’’

JP van der Merwe.

Curling, who was driving, appears to have been the more seriously injured of the pair. “Ryan is currently in the intensive care unit and they are keeping him sedated. He does have a head injury and quite a few lacerations.

“Although they have to wait the customary 24 to 48 hours before they can assess the seriousness of the injury, the doctor is pretty optimistic that he will be fine. They are planning to operate on his eyes late this afternoon.’’

Van der Merwe suffered serious concussion and has abrasions on the front and back of his head. “JP is not in ICU but he is bruised and knocked up quite a bit,’’ said Lerena.

The pair rode at the meeting held at Flamingo Park on Monday. –  Jack Milner, Racing Express.