90-year-old Santa Anita employee injured in saving girl from horse

[anotherCAfan]

Today at Santa Anita, a longtime paddock guard for the Southern California racing circuit was injured after stepping in front of a loose horse in the paddock to prevent the horse from trampling over a young girl.

I have included the short write-ups from the Daily Racing form here and Bloodhorse here.

I have known this man a for a while. I would consider him a family friend. I certainly hope he is okay. There are some good people who work in California racing. I hope he gets better soon.

[098poi]

Thanks for posting. I will say a prayer for him.

[BillW]

John's wife is a regular poster here on PA (SoCalFan).

Diane, Please keep us up to date with how John is doing and tell him we are thinking of him and wishing him a speedy recovery.

Bill

[PaceAdvantage]

Wow...what an incredibly selfless and brave thing for this man to do...a true hero for saving that little girl from certain tragedy...and at NINETY no less...just incredible....

Yes, his wife has been a long time contributor here (so.cal.fan)...I hope and pray that Mr. Shear makes a full recovery from any injuries he sustained in saving that child from harm's way...what an incredible story...please keep us all posted in this thread on his condition...

[Beachbabe]

Also a wounded combat vet. What a story and what an act of bravery that probably comes natural to a man like this.

Prayers for a speedy & full recovery.

[Stillriledup]

Hero is the correct word.

Get well soon John!

[Grits]

Reflex and instinct, together, are a powerful combination. Prayers and well wishes for Mr.Shear. At age 90, still an extraordinary man!! Something one can be sure SoCalFan knows well.

[Deepsix]

He's made of that 'true grit' stuff. It was just a couple years ago that he (John) got boogered up when a horse pinned him against a pipe-gate (as I recall). Seems he had to mend from some fractures.

Commendable act, for sure.

[JustRalph]

my heart sank when I read the original post....... Here's hoping he is well

[nijinski]

Hoping for a positive outcome for him , what a fine and brave gentleman !!

[JustRalph]

I spoke with John's Nurse. She will pass a message along to Diane that if she needs anything ( I am sure there are million people offering to help, but it never hurts to ask) that she can just log on here or email me. I have exchanged emails with her before.

The Message was " Her Friends at Paceadvantage are thinking of her and John and if she needs anything she knows how to find us"

They have an email link where you can email patients, but they only deliver Mon-Fri. Can't hurt?

http://www.huntingtonhospital.com/Ma...ilAFriend.aspx

btw, on a whim I called the hospital info line, to see if they release "condition information" and the 3rd shift operator said " Hey it's 3rd shift, they aren't busy, I will transfer you to his nurse" click, I am talking to the nurse.............

anybody close by that can maybe drop a gift off on behalf of the board? I can chip in........

if sanctioned by PA of course .........any comments PA?

[so.cal.fan]

Thank you PA posters for your prayers and well wishes for John.
He is in Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, California.
He has several fractures and in a lot of pain.
He just lost his beloved 13 year old rat terrier, Girly last Tuesday, now this happens. Our hearts are broken again.
John would never have done anything else but save a child or adult from being hurt by a horse in those paddocks.
He has always been a hero.
Please pray for him.
Thank you.

[Knowclew]

Sounds like a special person...prayers go out to your husband.

[JustRalph]

Originally Posted by so.cal.fan

Thank you PA posters for your prayers and well wishes for John.
He is in Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, California.
He has several fractures and in a lot of pain.
He just lost his beloved 13 year old rat terrier, Girly last Tuesday, now this happens. Our hearts are broken again.
John would never have done anything else but save a child or adult from being hurt by a horse in those paddocks.
He has always been a hero.
Please pray for him.
Thank you.

D, please let us know if you need anything at all. Lots of friends and resources here. Hang in there!

[Kelso]

Originally Posted by PaceAdvantage

a true hero for saving that little girl from certain tragedy.

It is so nice, and so rare, to see that honor ... the word "hero" ... appropriately applied. At great risk to his own, the man saved a defenseless child's life. Indeed, he is a hero.