Zackey in lucky escape

Popular jockey, Craig Zackey, walked away from a horrific car accident on Friday night with “bruises on my chest from the seat belt, and cuts on my nose”.

Zackey, Equus Champion Aprentice last season, turned 21 on 7 April and is currently 11th on the national jockey’s log.

He was stood down for the weekend but hopes to be back riding today (Monday).

He was driving home to Brakpan from OR Tambo Airport after flying back from Port Elizabeth, where he rode three winners at Fairview, and was adjacent to Emperor’s Palace when a truck turned into his lane.

“I tried missing him but caught him and, yeah, rolled for 500m. Lord, thank you so much for giving me another chance in life” he said on his Facebook page.

Once the car came to a stand-still, he undid his seat belt, climbed out the front and stood on the verge waiting for help.