Brendan Johnson

[Genghis]

Press release from Isle Of Wight:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - NOON

BELOW IS THE LATEST OFFICIAL NEWS ON THE CONDITIONS OF BOTH WIGHTLINK ISLANDERS, BRENDAN JOHNSON & NICK SIMMONS, WHO WERE INJURED AND HOSPITALISED AS A RESULT OF SEPARATE CRASHES DURING THE COURSE OF LAST NIGHT'S HOME NATIONAL TROPHY MATCH AGAINST MILDENHALL...

BRENDAN - NEXT 24/48 HOURS CRITICAL

Teenage speedway star Brendan Johnson, aged just 17, is currently in intensive care at Southampton General Hospital suffering from head and other injuries sustained in a horrific high-speed crash in the final heat of last night's home National Trophy match against Mildenhall (a separate match report will be issued later).
He and Mildenhall's Jamie Birkinshaw were having a great scrap for the lead in a match that was already in the bag for the home side, when they collided as they sped shoulder-to-shoulder down the back straight and both crashed heavily. The Fen Tiger was swiftly up and, sporting as ever, his first thought was to check on Brendan's condition as the latter lay motionless on the ground. The track paramedics were swiftly on the scene and after lengthy attention, he was rushed to St.Mary's Hospital.
After further extensive treatment, doctors heavily sedated him, placed him into intensive care on life support systems and the decision was taken to airlift him to Southampton General with that transfer occuring circa midnight last night.
Doctors have told Brendan's parents, who are with him and have authorised the release of this update on his condition, that it's now a question of 'wait and see" as it were which is natural in all cases of this nature, Brendan remaining heavily sedated and on life support to give his body the chance the heal.
They added that the next 24 to 48 hours are deemed critical and the thoughts of everybody at the club, and throughout the speedway world, are with him and his family at this most worrying of times.

N.B. Messages of support / cards etc should NOT be sent to the hospital but should be sent to Brendan Johnson c/o Wave 105 Smallbrook Stadium, Ashey Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight PO33 4BH and the club will ensure that they are passed on to his parents Jan and Dave.

Further updates on his condition will be issued when available. Meanwhile by all means contact Bryn Williams (see details above) if you have any queries - We would urge everyone NOT to contact the hospital especially as Brendan's dad Dave has promised to phone Bryn with further news as and when there is any.

BUT SKIPPER NICK OKAY AND OUT OF HOSPITAL

Brendan was the second Wightlink Islander to be rushed to St. Marys for he had crashed heavily two races earlier in heat 13, as he tried to pass Fen Tiger Barrie Evans for second place exiting the fourth bend of the third lap.
Paramedics at the circuit were, as they always are under the direction of their leader Clive Greedy, swiftly with the Wightlink Islanders skipper and with him complaining of back pains, all precautions were taken.
X-rays taken last night proved inclusive but further x-rays taken this morning have revealed that NO bones are broken although Nick has sustained multiple bruises and, given that, doctors are happy to discharge him armed with the necessary painkillers and that process is taking place as this press release is being sent out.

Best wishes to Brendan, a lovely lad. Also thinking of his dad Dave, plus the rest of his family & friends at this difficult time. Hope for some good news very soon.

[zonkers]

OMG.....can't believe it!! What dreadful news:(

[schumi]

I know it's usual to sedate a person under such circumstances - it gives the body time to concentrate fully on the vital processes, hopefully stops any swelling of the brain, and aids recovery, but it's still shocking news. The very best of wishes to both riders, but especially to Brendan and his family.

[Deleted]

Further updates on Brendan's condition:

WIGHTLINK ISLANDERS SPEEDWAY
PRESS RELEASE UPDATE
No: 2009/43/UPDATE 1
Issued: FRIDAY 21st August 2009
N.B. For Further info on what follows please contact: Bryn Williams (Press Officer)
Email:[e-mail]
Tel: [phone]
or go to our website at: www.islandspeedway.co.uk

BRENDAN - NO NEWS IS HOPEFULLY GOOD NEWS

Further to the press release we sent out to you earlier today, a brief update at this point and we can only hope that it's a question of 'no news is good news' in respect of the condition of Wightlink Islanders' teenage speedway star Brendan Johnson who remains on life support in the intensive care unit at Southampton General Hospital.

He was airlifted there in the early hours of this morning after being injured in a crash whilst racing for the the Isle of Wight against Suffolk side Mildenhall at the Wave 105FM stadium last night.

His parents Dave and Jan remain with him at his bedside and we are hopeful that the former will bring us a further update on how Brendan is progressing at some point later today although, as we feel sure you'll appreciate, we cannot guarantee it.

As previously stated doctors have said the next 48 hours are critical in terms of his ultimate chances of a full recovery but are described as being 'optimistic.'

The thoughts of everyone both here at our own club and throughout the speedway world are with Brendan together with his family and friends at this most worrying of times.

Courtesy of Bryn via the BSF

and the most recent:

WIGHTLINK ISLANDERS SPEEDWAY
PRESS RELEASE FURTHER UPDATE
No: 2009/43/UPDATE 2
Issued: 9.45pm 21st August 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

N.B. For Further info on what follows please contact: Bryn Williams (Press Officer)
Email:[e-mail]
Tel: [phone]


BRENDAN - ENCOURAGING NEWS TO END TODAY

Further to today's two earlier press bulletins Dave Johnson, the father of injured Wightlink Islanders' teenage speedway star Brendan Johnson, says that doctors at the intensive care unit at Southampton General Hospital have given him and wife Jan some good news to end the day and that those doctors are very encouraged by what has happened since their son was placed into their care.

"Firstly all the spinal x-rays taken today have shown that there is seemingly no serious damage to Brendan's spine and no breaks," Dave said, "and that in itself is a huge relief to the two of us and will be too for all our friends and relations.

"The doctors also told us, before we left the hospital tonight, that all other stats and data show that Brendan has seemingly weathered the initial storm as it were following his crash last night and has made encouaging progress today.

"So much so that, providing Brendan has a good night, they may gradually ease him off the sedation and dependency on the life support equipment tomorrow but they'll only come to a decision with regard to that after they've examined him further in the morning,"

Encouraging news indeed and Dave has asked that we pass on both his and Jan's heartfelt thanks for the wave of support Brendan and they have received at this time from everyone in the speedway world.

END


Courtesy of Bryn via the BSF

[Deleted]

That's sounding much more encouraging than the early reports....Can only hope that things keep moving swiftly in the right direction and the young lad makes a full recovery.

[Deleted]

A few will know that along with my other half Alan, I'm a sponsor of Bren of several years, and this has been the most nightmarish, hellish scenario imaginable primarily of course for his lovely family but also for those who know him. First got the news late-ish on Thursday that something was wrong, and the news that followed got seemingly worse. Plenty of tears were shed from then on I can tell you. I travelled with Bob Cole who is especially close to the family up to Southampton Hospital yesterday morning, and spent some time with Bren's parents. We were able to spend a short period of time at Bren's bedside talking to him and to see firsthand what wonderful care he is getting in the Neurological Intensive Care Unit - these nurses are angels on earth. It's hard to put into words how so many people are feeling right now and I have to admit I'm struggling to type anything on this subject without getting emotional, but it's wonderful to see the messages of support and the high esteem in which he's held by everyone who knows him. It will be a great comfort to his family I know, and along with the forums, his Facebook page is just chock full of messages from so many. It is just so, so cruel that fate has dealt him this hand, but he's a tough 'un and I'm postive he'll come out of this fighting fit.

[Deleted]

Very best wishes to Brendan for a full recovery.

[Deleted]

Latest update:


WIGHTLINK ISLANDERS SPEEDWAY
BRENDAN JOHNSON LATEST
No: 2009/43/UPDATE 6
Issued: 11.30pm Saturday 22nd August 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

N.B. For Further info on what follows please contact: Bryn Williams (Press Officer)
Email:[e-mail]


NO REAL CHANGE - BRENDAN STILL 'CRITICAL BUT STABLE'

A further phonecall has been received tonight from Brendan Johnson's dad Dave in which he has informed us that there has been no real change in his speedway racer son's condition throughout today.

He remains in a "critical but stable" condition in the ICU at Southampton General Hospital where he has been receiving specialist treatment since being airlifted there following his crash in the final heat of the Wightlink Islanders home National Trophy victory against Mildenhall on Thursday.

He is still under heavy sedation on life support systems with the doctors treating him feeling it is best for him to remain in the induced coma at this time rather than to attempt to bring him round.

In an earlier phonecall today Dave had brought us the news that those doctors had warned he and wife Jan that their 17 year old son's road to recovery may be a longer one than they had initially hoped that would have involved them bringing him out of the induced coma today.

"The doctors, nurses and staff at the hospital have been brilliant," said Dave, "and Jan and I know that they are doing what's best for Bren and will continue to be guided by them."

Hopefully Brendan will have a good night and we would hope to bring our next update on his condition in the morning.

END

[Deleted]

Just awaiting clarification on this, but apparently Bryn was at Mildenhall this afternoon and announced that Brendan had been taken off Life support.

As soon as official announcement is made will post, but good news certainly.

[Deleted]

Here's the latest release that I was so very pleased to issue earlier:

WIGHTLINK ISLANDERS SPEEDWAY
BRENDAN JOHNSON LATEST - AND IT'S GOOD NEWS SUNDAY
No: 2009/43/UPDATE 7
Issued: 11pm Sunday 23rd August 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

N.B. For Further info on what follows please contact: Bryn Williams (Press Officer)
Email:[e-mail]


IT'S GOOD NEWS SUNDAY!

We are absolutely delighted to bring you the news that the whole speedway world, has been waiting for and that is that Wightlink Islanders' teenage speedway star Brendan Johnson was taken off the life support systems that have been aiding him in the ICU at the Southampton General Hospital where he was airlifted to following his crash in last Thursday's home National Trophy match against Mildenhall.

Brendan's father took time out from the vigil he and wife Jan have been maintaining at their son's bedside at the hospital to impart the news to us in a phonecall earlier this evening, and you couldn't fail but to notice, as you might well expect, the sheer unadulterated joy and relief in the tone of his voice as he asked us to pass on the information to everybody.

"The team of doctors treating him took the decision this morning to gradually bring him out of his induced coma," he said, "and reduce his dependency upon the various systems that were aiding his breathing and other functions to zero.

"Naturally as they proceeded to do so all Jan and I could do was hope upon hope that nothing would go wrong and I cannot describe my feelings when the doctor told me that all the various tubes etc had been removed and that Bren was breathing unaided other than to say that it felt that a huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders and I know Jan felt the same.

"That feeling of both joy and sheer relief when they imparted the good news to us was simply indescribable as I'm sure everyone can appreciate and can I just once again thank all our friends and everyone within this great sport of ours for all their support.

"Hopefully they'll be more good news in terms of Bren's progress in the morning as he continues his road to what hopefully will be a complete recovery but he needs to rest right now and Jan and I can certainly rest more easily."

END

[Deleted]

Great news.
Thanks for passing this on Bryn.

[Deleted]

That's great news. All the best Brendan.

[zonkers]

Yes, great news indeed.

[Genghis]

Fan-bloody-tastic!!! ;D ;D

[Deleted]

WIGHTLINK ISLANDERS SPEEDWAY
BRENDAN JOHNSON LATEST
No: 2009/43/UPDATE 8
Issued: 12.30pm Monday 24th August 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

N.B. For Further info on what follows please contact: Bryn Williams (Press Officer)
Email:[e-mail]


"I'M HUNGRY!" - BRENDAN SPEAKS!

Yes it's more good news we bring you here this Monday lunchtime following on from our previous update last night that stated that 17 years old injured teenage speedway star Brendan Johnson had been woken from his induced coma, had been taken off of life support systems in the ICU unit at Southampton General Hospital and was breathing unaided.

His dad Dave has just phoned to tell us that upon awakening this morning and spotting him and his mum Jan sitting at his bedside, their son's first words to them were, "I'm hungry!"

"Obviously he was a bit confused," said Dave, "but soon came to realise what was going and after muttering those words asked about the crash itself as he remembers nothing about it at all and how his bike was!

"He's still very tired, has a way to go yet and so needs to rest a lot still, but it's been all good news for us over the past twenty-four hours and hopefully that good news will continue unabated.

"Jan and I are going for a cuppa right now but before I go can I, on behalf of Bren, Jan and myself once again pass on our grateful thanks to everyone who sent us messages of support either by phone, text messges or via the various websites, speedway forums, radio stations etc."

So more good news indeed and once doctors in charge of his treatment are satisfied that the oxygen levels in his blood etc are back to normal, it is expected that Brendan will be moved out of the ICU unit and can hopefully look forward to being allowed home in the not-too-distant future.

END