Cracknell Suffers Brain Damage

31 July 2010

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James Cracknell Suffers Brain Damage after accident

Olympian-turned-TV adventurer James Cracknell has suffered brain damage after fracturing his skull in a cycling accident last week (ends25Jul10), according to his wife.

The British rower was cycling through Arizona filming a new show for the Discovery Channel when he was involved in a collision with a truck.

He is currently semi-conscious in a neuro-trauma ward and will need six months to recover from his injuries, according to his wife Beverly Turner.

Only those closest to him may be able to tell a subtle difference

She tells Britain's Daily Telegraph, "I'd spent years worrying that James would plunge down a crevasse in some remote wilderness, but it was a road traffic accident in the U.S. that has left him with a fractured skull and damage to his brain."

Turner reveals Cracknell has had bleeding and swelling on his brain, which could cause personality and motivation issues - but she insists his prognosis is good.

She adds, "Only those closest to him may be able to tell a subtle difference."

The pair shares two children, Croyde, six, and Kiki, 16 months.