‘We’re out of the storm but our lives are about to get even harder’: Team GB decathlete Ben Gregory’s fiancée says comatose 31-year-old has taken his first breaths without assistance after bike crash but won’t remember anyone or how to walk
- Ben Gregory, 31, suffered a fractured skull and brain haemorrhage after being struck by a car while cycling
- The Team GB athlete has now taken his first breaths on his own and will ‘slowly begin to come out of the coma’
- His fiancée, Naomi Heffernan, revealed that he is ‘out of the storm’ but will need to learn to walk and talk again
- Mr Gregory’s injuries were sustained more than two weeks ago, Olympian Kelly Sotherton has confirmed
Team GB star Ben Gregory who was left fighting for his life after a horrific crash has taken his first breaths without assistance.
The decathlete, 31, who has competed for Great Britain and also for Wales in three Commonwealth Games, suffered multiple brain haemorrhages and a fractured skull and neck after a collision with a car two weeks ago.
Mr Gregory’s fiancée Naomi Heffernan shared on Instragram that he had taken ‘his first breaths on his own without the use of a machine’, and ‘slowly Ben will begin to come out of his coma’.
However she also detailed that he will have ‘no memory of [his family] when he first wakes’ and will ‘need to learn how to move again, obey commands, re-learn how to think and how to talk and walk’.
Ms Heffernan said: ‘The doctors said we are now out of the storm but what has seemed like the hardest two weeks of our lives are about to get harder.
‘But I’m certain of this, Ben would never want us to doubt him, ever. This is going to the hardest thing he’s ever had to go through. Me too.
Ben Gregory’s (right) fiancée Namoni Heffernan (left) has shared on Instagram that the GB athlete has now taken his first breaths without a machine since the horror crash
In her most recent Instagram update, Ms Heffernan included pictures of herself and Mr Gregory out with friends before his accident
Decathlete Ben Gregory, 31, has been left fighting for life after being involved in a serious bike crash. He and his fiancée Naomi Heffernan are pictured at the Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint in Thailand in early January 2022
‘But with his incredible army behind him and Ben’s love for llife and his drive I know he’s going to defy all the odds, he’s going to surprise every doctor and nurse and he’s going to get through this in a way that they’ve never seen before.
‘Ben will never be the Ben you once knew but he will be an even better version, Ben 2.0 with even more strength and light than any of us can imagine.’
His injuries were sustained after being struck by a car struck on August 19, British Olympian Kelly Sotherton has confirmed.
In an earlier Instagram post, she said she knew ‘this is going to be a long road to recovery’, but added she has faith he is ‘going to pull through.’
Details of the accident came just two days after Gregory took to Instagram teasing some ‘exciting news’ that he hoped to share soon, accompanied by a video clip of himself exercising on a treadmill.
British athletes are today praying for Mr Gregory’s (left) recovery, while his fiancée Naomi Heffernan said she has ‘never been so scared’
Gregory competed for Great Britain and also for Wales in three Commonwealth Games and is a national record holder
Mr Gregory’s injuries come just two days after he took to Instagram teasing some ‘exciting news’ that he hoped to share soon, accompanied by a video clip of himself exercising on a treadmill
Gregory, representing Wales, celebrates winning the Men’s Decathlon 1500 metres during day six of the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Australia
Gregory pictured competing in the discus at Hampden Park during day six of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland
Gregory suffered a fractured skull, neck and multiple haemorrhages to his brain. He is currently in a coma and on life support. He is pictured during a Sunday cycle around Epping Forest in February 2021
Gregory has competed in three Commonwealth Games but is in a coma having suffered a fractured skull, neck and brain haemorrhages. Heffernan asked for ‘positive vibes and prayers’ in a social media post on Sunday
His injuries were sustained after being struck by a car struck on Friday, British Olympian Kelly Sotherton has confirmed
Ben Gregory: ‘Wales’ greatest ever decathlete’
Mr Gregory has competed in track and field for more than a decade and has found success at many competitive events despite setbacks caused by injuries.
He represented Team GB at the junior and senior level in European Cup matches and competed in his first Major Championships, the Commonwealth Games, in 2010 in Delhi. At the event he placed sixth, setting a new commonwealth record in pole vault.
He placed sixth again at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and set another lifetime best. However, he was two points shy of breaking the Welsh National Record, GetBuzzing reported.
He later set the new Welsh National Record in 2016 after he competed at the Mount Sac Relays and won the Decathlon.
Away from athletics, Gregory is also a part-time model and has featured in adverts for a number of sport brands.
He held a modelling contract with London-based agency W Model Management.
The athlete’s post detailed how he completed warm up and running drills and an upper body and hamstring workout. He then did a cool down routine that consisted of a four-minute run and one-minute walk at what Mr Gregory described as a ‘cruisey sexy pace’.
He also included ‘#train’ in his post, suggesting he may have been preparing for an upcoming event.
In a social media post the day after the accident, Ms Heffernan said she has ‘never felt so scared, helpless and sick to the stomach’.
‘Ben needs you positive thoughts and prayers right now. Those who know Ben know how strong he is mentally and physically, he’s a fighter and he’ll get through this.
‘Please pray for him and send all the positive energy and thoughts you can muster.’
In another post, Ms Heffernan said she knew ‘this is going to be a long road to recovery’ but she has faith he is ‘going to pull through.’
‘I’ll hopefully know more on Monday when they put a sedation hold on him,’ she explained. ‘His reaction to that will say which way this is going to go.’
Ms Heffernan vowed to keep providing updates on her social media and thanked everyone for their ‘lovely messages and kind words.’
She even noted that she planned to read the messages allowed to Mr Gregory when she saw him.
Fitness experts and athletes have issued their support for Mr Gregory in wake of this horrific accident.
Performance training coach Will Lafolafo shared photos of himself and the decathlete while also telling Ms Heffernan: ‘Prayers for strength for your family x friends.’
‘You can do this mate. You’re Ben Gregz,’ PT and crossfit trainer Jamie Wilson said, adding that he was sending love to Ms Heffernan and her family.
Mr Gregory as seen in his Team GB headshot photo
His fiancée Naomi Heffernan said she had ‘never been so scared’ and that Gregory needed ‘positive thoughts and prayers.’ The couple is pictured together in September 2021
Heffernan vowed to keep providing updates on her social media and thanked everyone for their ‘lovely messages and kind words.’ She and Gregory are pictured together earlier this summer at London Pride
Gregory was also involved in a cycling accident in September 2020. He documented the crash on his Instagram account with a series of images holding his damaged helmet
Gregory has received an outpour of support in wake of his accident
Welsh Athletics said: ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with Ben’s friends and family at this time.
‘Ben’s accomplishments as an athlete speak for themselves: Wales’ greatest ever decathlete – three Commonwealth Games, the Welsh record holder and representing Wales and Great Britain multiple times.
‘The outpouring of support across social media is testament to his popularity as a person and as an athlete. Everyone who has had the privilege of training or competing alongside Ben will speak of his incredible love of life, his kindness, support and loyalty.
‘We will all continue to pray for a full recovery for Ben.’
Mr Gregory was also involved in a cycling accident in September 2020. He documented the crash on his Instagram account with a series of images holding his damaged helmet.
The athlete used the crash as an opportunity to reiterate how important it is to wear a helmet while riding.
‘They do a job & they’re inexpensive when you think about what the alternative would be,’ he penned in the October 2, 2020, post.
‘Pick up a helmet when you ride a bike, just the same as you’d put a seatbelt on in a car. Be safe. Grateful to be in one piece after the collision on Monday. Thank you all so much for all the well wishes and support. It’s been a tough week but definitely on the road to recovery.’
Gregory and Heffernan are pictured together in an undated photo
Gregory and Heffernan are pictured at the Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint in Thailand in early January 2022
Mr Gregory has competed in track and field for more than a decade and has found success at many competitive events despite setbacks caused by injuries.
He represented Team GB at the junior and senior level in European Cup matches and competed in his first Major Championships, the Commonwealth Games, in 2010 in Delhi. At the event he placed sixth, setting a new commonwealth record in pole vault.
He placed sixth again at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and set another lifetime best. However, he was two points shy of breaking the Welsh National Record, GetBuzzing reported.
He later set the new Welsh National Record in 2016 after he competed at the Mount Sac Relays and won the Decathlon.
Mr Gregory also held a modelling contract with London-based agency W Model Management. His modelling work is used for campaigns worldwide.
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