Ron Turcotte, the esteemed Canadian horse racing legend renowned for his historic Triple Crown victory with Secretariat in 1973, found himself amid an unfortunate incident.
Following a motor vehicle accident in New Brunswick, Turcotte was hospitalized in Perth-Andover, N.B.
The accident in March 2015 prompted his transfer to Fredericton the following day for consultation with an orthopedic surgeon.
Despite the severity of the crash, Turcotte’s injuries were not considered life-threatening, and he remained conscious and calm throughout the ordeal.
It’s important to note that Turcotte has been paralyzed from the waist down since a tragic horse racing accident at Belmont Park, N.Y., in 1978. As a result of his paralysis, Turcotte is spared the physical pain associated with the accident.
According to RCMP Const. Yannick Pelletier, the van’s driver, lost control on the slippery road, causing the vehicle to land on its side. Turcotte was one of two occupants in the truck, both of whom were transported to the hospital for treatment.
Reflecting on the incident, Turcotte’s wife, Gaetane Turcotte, expressed her preference for sharing positive news and remained shaken by the events of Monday.
Despite his challenges, Turcotte’s extraordinary career achievements remain indelible. His Triple Crown triumph with Secretariat marked the first in 25 years and etched his name in racing history.
