Savannah recovering well in Benoni after Mexico accident
City Times sports journalist Logan Green caught up with the 18-year-old international racer and her father Paul at their home in the agricultural holdings recently to find out how she is doing since the Mexican incident, what she remembers from the ordeal, her recovery process and her desire to someday get back on her bike.
When the City Times first met talented motorcycle racer and Benoni Agricultural Holdings resident Savannah Woodward in 2016 it was evident that she had a drive and determination like no other which led to her becoming one of the standout female racers coming out of South Africa.
The strong will and positive attitude that she possesses has seen her show remarkable improvement following a disastrous accident while racing at the Italika World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico on December 1.
Savannah spent a number of days in a Mexican hospital with frontal and back lobe damage to the brain as well as trauma to her cerebellum and other general damage to the brain.
While she was in the hospital the motorcycle community from South Africa and around the world rallied to get her home through a trust fund and other fund-raising activities.
On Christmas Day, Savannah landed at OR Tambo International Airport and was greeted by hoards of well-wishers and supporters.
“I don’t remember the accident, but I do remember some of the things that I did in Mexico in the lead-up to the race such as the training I did,” said the young racer.
“It [her memory] is getting there slowly.”
Upon hearing the news of the accident, Paul and his wife Eleaze had to hustle to get to their daughter’s side as speedily as possible.
“It was really terrible,” said Paul.
“We had to find a flight as soon as possible.
“The race took place at around 1.30am on December 2 South African time and we only received news that we needed to go out to Mexico at about 4am on a Sunday morning and we had to organise a flight that evening.”
After a long journey and a number of connecting flights, Savannah’s parents arrived at the Mexican hospital on December 3 where she was in an induced coma.
Since then she has shown rapid progress in her recovery, benefiting from an excellent occupational therapy, speech therapy and physiotherapy regime.
“It has been a remarkable recovery from December 1 until now, absolutely phenomenal,” added Paul.
“They said it should have taken six months to a year for me to recover and I am proving them wrong,” said Savannah.
Her miraculous improvement in her condition is a testament to the character of the young champion.
“I have always been a fighter, even when I broke my collarbone a few years ago, I was back on the track within a few days.”
When asked if there is any chance of seeing her back in the racing saddle anytime soon, the Benonian said: “I want to come back to racing.
“It’s what I love and I have been doing it for more than half of my life.”
For now, though, Savannah and her parents are just taking things slowly.
“We need to get her fit and strong again and get her neurological problems sorted first,” said Paul.
“We will take it one step at a time.”
While her determined nature will undoubtedly see her back on her motorcycle in the not-too-distant-future, Savannah is just happy to be back in Benoni with her family, friends and pets.
The family thanked the numerous people who rallied to bring her back to South Africa.
“There are so many people I could list who helped,” said Paul.
“Just the tiniest amount helped get her back home.”
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Benoni motorbike racer Savannah Woodward badly injured in Mexico accident
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