Our thoughts are with friends and family

Tragic ending to a race day in Northam


Article heading image for Our thoughts are with friends and family

Photo courtesy of Avon Valley and Wheatbelt Advocate

Northam track worker Doug Fernihough who was struck by lightning at the Northam Race Club last Thursday, has died in hospital, surrounded by his family. 

Racing and Wagering WA chief executive officer Richard Burt confirmed Doug Fernihough passed away on Wednesday afternoon. 

“Doug was a respected member of the WA racing community and his passing will be felt by many within the industry”. Also a respected member of our Northam community. At 57 years of age, Doug was flown to Perth for treatment in the Royal Perth Hospital intensive care unit on Thursday.

I had a bit of chat yesterday with Dr. Kevin Christensen, club President and also the onsite doctor who was there when the incident unfolded.

I asked him exactly what happened on the day and he said that the lightning bolt caught everyone by surprise, he received a phone call from Nicole about Doug and that he was unresponsive, so Kevin went out and started resuscitation took him to Northam hospital, he was then transferred to Perth where confirmation came through that he was hit by lighting.

Dr. Kevin said that knew Doug very well worked at the club for a couple of years and would always lend a hand on race days- a big part of the club

For what would be a very traumatic time, our thoughts with the friends and family of Doug.

-Verity

 

24 November 2017




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