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John Shear – employed at Santa Anita Park since Dec. 23, 1961- Shields 6 Year Old Girl from Runaway Horse
Arcadia Weekly Mar 14, 2011
What an impressive team. – Courtesy photo / PCC
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INJURED PADDOCK GUARD SHEAR LISTED STABLE,
90-YEAR-OLD HERO SITTING UP, ALERT AND CONVERSING
Veteran Santa Anita Paddock Guard John Shear was injured Saturday as he threw himself in front of a young girl in order to protect her from a loose horse, prior to the running of the third race.
Shear, a former jockey who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, has been a fixture at Santa Anita for decades. Prior to the incident, he was in his normal position holding the rope on the west entrance of the track’s walking ring.
Sea and Sage, a 3-year-old gelding who had started twice previously at the current meet, was in the walking ring with nine other horses who were readying for the upcoming race. Sea and Sage wheeled, freeing himself from his handler and in a 180 degree about-face, sprinted towards the opening Shear was guarding just outside the walking ring.
As seen live on simulcast television, Shear, instead of dropping the perimeter rope he was holding and protecting himself, ran in front of the loose horse and threw himself in front of and on top of the young girl in the crowd, who appeared to be three or four years of age.
Sea and Sage collided with Shear, who remained conscious, responsive and was moving when he was attended to by on-site First Aid personnel and later by members of the City of Arcadia Fire Department.
Shear was taken by ambulance to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena for further evaluation.
Sea and Sage emerged from the incident uninjured and was caught in the Santa Anita stable area, whereupon he was returned to his stall at trainer Gary Mandella’s barn.
The condition of injured 90-year-old paddock guard John Shear has improved “one hundred eighty degrees” over what it was Saturday night at Huntington Memorial Hospital according to a family member.
Shear, who was injured while shielding a 6-year-old girl from a runaway loose horse, was hospitalized Saturday afternoon following the accident that occurred prior to Santa Anita’s third race.
“I went and saw him last night in I.C.U. (intensive care unit) and he didn’t look good,” said Shear’s son, Mike, 44. “His voice wasn’t good and his face was black and blue. I went back this morning to see him at 10:30 and there was a complete, 180 degree turnaround. He was sitting upright, talking, laughing and completely coherent and he’s stable.
“He’s got multiple fractures. I’m not sure about all of them, but we do know he has one fracture in his pelvic area. He was hurt about four years ago in a paddock accident at Hollywood Park and the doctors inserted a rod in that area which may’ve been dislodged yesterday.
“The doctors think this has caused some internal bleeding in that bone area and he did lose a significant amount of blood yesterday. The latest word is that he’s not going to have to undergo surgery at this time, which is great news,” said Shear.
Shear’s act of selfless heroism has created national interest, far beyond the scope of horseracing.
“I’m completely blown away and humbled by the response from fans at the track and from those on all the social media sites. It’s amazing how many people that don’t even know my dad have expressed their well wishes,” said Shear.
“My dad does about 35 pushups a day and he eats well and stays fit. I think that’s the biggest reason he’s recovering so quickly. I’m extremely proud of him. I’m the most proud of him that I’ve ever been. He’s overcome a lot in his life—from where he came from and what’s he’s been able to accomplish.
“We’re not really sure how long he’s going to have to stay in the hospital. A lot depends on whether he’s going to (eventually) need surgery. “We’ll probably know more later today.”
John Shear has been employed at Santa Anita Park since Dec. 23, 1961.
