
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, December 12, 1994                   TAG: 9412130042
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

JOCKEY DIES AFTER FALL AT CHARLES TOWN

Jockey James Thornton died Sunday, two days after injuring his head in a fall from his horse at Charles Town Races. He was 54.

Thornton of Edgewood, Md., died at Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Va., track spokesman Paul Espinosa said.

Thornton had surgery Friday night to relieve pressure on his brain, but his family ruled out further surgery Saturday ``due to a poor prognosis,'' Espinosa said.

Thornton fell early during the first race Friday while riding Shifty Four in tight quarters. Another jockey, Glenn Reeder, was unable to avoid the fallen rider and also fell from his mount, Sales Book, which trampled Thornton. The horses were uninjured.

Both riders were taken to Jefferson Memorial Hospital. Reeder was treated and released and Thornton was transferred to Fairfax.

Keywords:
FATALITY HORSE RACING

by CNB