Doctors to take Team GB’s Ben Gregory off sedation TODAY as girlfriend and family hope for good news
Doctors are preparing to take Team GB‘s Ben Gregory off sedation today after the 31-year-old was left fighting for his life after a horror crash in which is understood to have been hit by a car while on his bike.
The athlete is currently in a coma and fighting for his life after fracturing his skull and suffering multiple brain haemorrhages during the awful collision.
Family, friends and British athletes will be desperately hoping for good news about the decathlete, 31, who has competed for Great Britain and also for Wales in three Commonwealth Games.
In an Instagram post, his girlfriend Naomi Heffernan said she has ‘never been so scared, helpless and sick to the stomach’.
She added she knew ‘this is going to be a long road to recovery’, but added 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 added. ‘His reaction to that will say which way this is going to go.’
She and his family can now only wait and pray for a good outcome as sedation is withdrawn later today.
His injuries were sustained after being struck by a car struck on Friday, British Olympian Kelly Sotherton has confirmed.
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.
Decathlete Ben Gregory, 31, has been left fighting for life after being involved in a serious bike crash. He and his girlfriend Naomi Heffernan are pictured at the Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint in Thailand in early January 2022
British athletes are today praying for Gregory’s (left) recovery, while his girlfriend 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
The athlete’s post detailed how he completed warn 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.
Ms Heffernan said on Sunday 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 girlfriend 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 as used for campaigns worldwide.
