Beth Tweddle recovering well from neck surgery after crash
By Mark Ashenden
Last Updated: 13/02/16 5:38pm
Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle is walking unaided after having neck surgery following a fall during training for TV reality show 'The Jump'.
The three-time world gymnastics champion and London 2012 bronze medallist crashed while preparing for the Channel 4 winter sports show last Saturday.
Tweddle went under the knife in Austria, where surgeons took a bone fragment from her hip and used it, along with pins, to fuse together two fractured vertebrae in her neck.
The 30-year-old took began walking with assistance after a few days and is now starting to do so by herself.
In a statement, Tweddle said: "The medical staff here in Austria have been fantastic and I couldn't have wished for better people to be around me at this time.
"I've started to feel a lot better in the past 24 hours and I've begun walking by myself.
"The doctors are happy with my progress and next week we will have a better idea of when I can be discharged from hospital.
"Thank you to everyone that has sent me get well messages. My Mum and Dad have been reading them to me and, one day, I'll be able to reply to you all, it really has meant a lot to me, so thank you."
In addition to her three world titles and Olympic medal, Tweddle has also won six European gymnastics titles and one Commonwealth Games gold.
A number of other celebrities have also had to pull out of the show after suffering injuries.
Former Olympic swimming champion Rebecca Adlington withdrew from the show on medical advice after injuring her shoulder, while actress Tina Hobley also pulled out after she dislocated her elbow and suffered two fractures to her arm.
Made In Chelsea star Mark-Francis Vandelli fractured his ankle during the show, while former sprinter Linford Christie was unable to take part in an event last week after pulling a hamstring.
