‘Someone could have died’: ‘Traumatised’ mother crushed by two stampeding horses at the Grand National reveals she was prevented from leaving the area when eco-protesters stormed the racecourse before horror crash
- Jo Nagra, 44, remained beside the track after the racecourse was locked down
- She was not allowed to leave the unsafe area as two horses hurtled towards her
A traumatised mother who was crushed by two stampeding horses at the Grand National has revealed she was prevented from leaving the area when eco-protesters stormed the racecourse.
Jo Nagra, 44, from Birmingham, West Midlands, had been at Aintree Racecourse in Merseyside on Saturday 15 April with her husband Harj, 53, to celebrate his birthday along with her 10-year-old son Adan and 28-year-old daughter Aman.
The jockeys of Recite a Prayer and Galvin had been unseated at the first fence, leaving the horses to veer off and run towards racegoers stood by concrete bollards.
Mrs Nagra had been standing on the side of the racetrack where the two stallions smashed into her – causing her injuries that have left her unable to walk three days later.
Now she has revealed that she and her family were stuck in that area as they were walking back to their vehicle at the Steeplechase car park – but were not allowed to leave because of a lockdown caused by the Animal Rising protesters storming the grand event after posing as racegoers.
Traumatised mother Jo Nagra, 44, (pictured) from Birmingham, West Midlands, who was crushed by two stampeding horses at the Grand National, has revealed she was prevented from leaving the area when eco-protesters stormed the racecourse
The jockeys of Recite a Prayer and Galvin had been unseated at the first fence, leaving the horses to veer off and run towards racegoers stood by concrete bollards. Mrs Nagra had been standing on the side of the racetrack where the two stallions smashed into her – causing her injuries that have left her unable to walk three days later
Now she has revealed that she and her family were stuck in that area as they were walking back to their vehicle at the Steeplechase car park – but were not allowed to leave because of a lockdown caused by the Animal Rising protesters storming the grand event after posing as racegoers (pictured being stopped by police)
Speaking to The Sun, Mrs Nagra, detailed that she is awaiting results to find out if she has permanent tissue damage to her legs after being rushed to Aintree Hospital that day. She still has no feeling in her foot.
Now on crutches, Mrs Nagra said: ‘I remember waking up and hearing my daughter screaming. The whole family is traumatised.
‘It’s a serious health and safety issue and somebody could have died. I’m just so grateful they hit me and not my kids.’
She also added that the family would have been able to get to the car before the race started if the Animal Rising protesters had not been there.
The group had been instructed to wait in the small area next to the fence while the race went on as the racecourse was locked down.
She said they ‘should have never been allowed’ to remain in that position, and recalled the moment the horses were ‘hurtling’ towards her, describing it as ‘terrifying’.
The mother-of-two detailed: ‘Although I sympathise with them to an extent, as we were quite shocked at how many horses died, they need to think about the impact their disruption can have.’
MailOnline has contacted Aintree Racecourse for comment.
Mrs Nagra had been at Aintree Racecourse in Merseyside on Saturday 15 April with her husband Harj, 53, (pictured together) to celebrate his birthday along with her 10-year-old son Adan and 28-year-old daughter Aman
Police escort an animal rights activist from the scene of the racecourse after several attempted to glue themselves to a jump
A massive police response was triggered after two protesters made it onto the course
Speaking to The Sun , Mrs Nagra, detailed that she is awaiting results to find out if she has permanent tissue damage to her legs after being rushed to Aintree Hospital that day. She still has no feeling in her foot. Now on crutches, Mrs Nagra said: ‘I remember waking up and hearing my daughter screaming. The whole family is traumatised’
Animal Rising protesters, an environmental and animal rights group, were seen attempting to climb over fences to gain access to the grounds, as well as breaking onto the grass ahead of the race – only for them to be carted off to the delight of spectators. Merseyside police confirmed that 118 people have been arrested.
It came after the alleged ringleader of the protest Rose Patterson, 33, was arrested in Greater Manchester by Merseyside Police this morning following an investigation by the Mail On Sunday into the plot.
A 25-year-old woman from London and a man were also arrested outside the racecourse on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance.
At around 5pm, people wielding ladders could be seen attempting to enter the grounds from outside Aintree, while others tried to glue or lock themselves to jumps on the track. Police officers were seen rushing to the scene to grab the protesters and remove them.
The race did finally get underway at around 5.30pm, but at least one horse went down before the first hurdle, as did a second at the second fence.
Hill Sixteen, who was running at 66-1, took a fatal fall and sadly is confirmed to have become the third horse to have died at Aintree this weekend after breaking his neck.
Distressing footage of Hill Sixteen’s fall was shared by animal rights activists online, before a Jockey Club spokesperson confirmed the death.
Police officers were on high alert for any sign of protesters before the beginning of the race
The mother-of-two detailed: ‘Although I sympathise with them to an extent, as we were quite shocked at how many horses died, they need to think about the impact their disruption can have’
Handcuffed activists are guarded by police officers during the Grand National at Aintree
Corach Rambler ridden by Derek Fox won the Randox Grand National on April 15, 2023
Animal rights groups including PETA were quick to share the news on social media.
Several other jockeys also tumbled at the early stages but their horses continued. Two then left the main track but continued to run alongside the other steeds.
As the race went on, more horses fell to the ground. Two other horses have been rushed away in horse ambulances with life-threatening injuries.
The winner of the Grand National was Corach Rambler, at odds of 8-1.
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