Temora jet boat navigator, Kayla Foote, says she is ‘fortunate to be alive’ following a spectacular accident at Lake Centenary last weekend.
The 36-year-old was competing in the fifth round of the V8 Superboat Championships last Saturday when her boat flipped while travelling at 100km/ph.
As a result, Kayla was rushed to Wagga Base Hospital but is now recovering at home.
She says in 10 years of racing she’s seen many accidents, but this was one of the worst.
“We clipped the inside of the bank and it spat us out of the water. Once that happens, you have no control over your steering,” Kayla said.
“After the crash, rescuers put a rope around the top of the roll-cage and lifted the boat up to ease the strain.
“The medics gave me strong painkillers before slowly lifting me out of the boat and onto a stretcher before loading me into the back of an ambulance.”
Kayla’s partner, Matt, was watching live coverage of the race on his phone while at work.
“It’s the worst thing in the world to see your loved one in an accident, knowing there’s very little you can do,” he said.
Kayla suffered a fractured vertebrae along with a com- pression fracture in the top third of her spine.
Despite the pain, she remains optimistic.
“The compression fracture has actually made me shorter which is interesting because I didn’t think I could get any shorter,” she laughed.
“I’m off work for six weeks on pain medication and am resting with a back brace.
“After that I will have scans and a check-up with doctors in Sydney via teleconference.
“Fortunately, at this stage, it’s unlikely I will need surgery. They say the injuries should heal them- selves but it’s going to be a long and slow recovery.”
The mother of three is keen to get back in her boat ‘Let’s Boogie’ despite the accident.
“Aside from a few scrapes, the boat is in reasonable condition and I remember telling my driver, Darrin, that I want- ed it ready for a race in Griffith on Feb 11. At the time of the accident, I thought I just had bruises. But when the doctor said I had basically broken my back, I realised I wouldn’t be competing for a while.
“Don’t get me wrong – the accident terrified me. But they can happen to anyone, anywhere. The old saying goes, when you fall off a horse, you get back on.
Racers know the risks as soon as they strap in. But the safety features of the boat are amazing. If we weren’t protected by a six-point harness and a neck brace, I wouldn’t be here to tell my story.”
Kayla’s driver of around five years, Darrin Kesper of Queensland, was left shaken but uninjured.
“Darrin is a good mate from Harvey Bay and as far as we are aware, he’s been left only feeling stiff and sore from the ordeal. We’ve competed all over the country and I’ve got no doubt that will continue.”
Kayla hopes to be well enough to compete in the final round of the South Australian V8 Superboats in Keith on March 25.
