Trainer Mick Channon is reported to be in a stable condition following a serious car crash on Wednesday evening.
Trainer expected to recover from injuries
Trainer Mick Channon is reported to be in a stable condition following a serious car crash on Wednesday afternoon in which a life-long friend died.
The Lambourn handler received multiple injuries when the car he was travelling in left the M1 around junction 24, hitting a concrete piller.
The ex-Southampton and England star's friend, 63-year-old racing agent Tim Corby, of East Ilsley, Berks, died in the crash, although Channon's youngest son Jack was apparently unscathed.
Channon had a "tough old night" in intensive care after suffering broken ribs, a broken arm, a fractured jaw and a punctured lung, said son Michael Channon. He is due to undergo surgery on Friday.
Mr Channon, a video producer, said: "We have been petrified and worried and absolutely out of our wits worrying about our own family. But as for the Corbys, our hearts really go out to them.
"Tim was a friend of Mick's for over 30 years. He was a renowned figure in the racing scene who was universally popular in the industry and he will be sorely missed by the residents of East and West Ilsley, all of his many friends, and most of all the Corby family."
Mr Channon said Mr Corby leaves wife Sheila and daughter Adriana.
He added: "Mick is conscious and able to talk from his hospital bed and he's absolutely devastated at the loss of Tim. His heart goes out to Sheila and Adriana."
Channon turned his hand to training horses in 1990 following a successful career in football, quickly establishing himself in the sport.
The 59-year-old had made his name as a striker for Southampton in his playing days, and appeared for England on 46 occasions, scoring 21 times.
