( dpa ) - Champion New Zealand jockey Michael Walker, 24, was in intensive care on Wednesday after falling more than 10 metres into a gorge while hunting pigs in dense bush, news reports said.
Walker, who suffered serious head injuries in Monday's accident about 70 kilometres north of New Plymouth, had to spend the night in the bush as a hunting companion went for help. He was lifted out by helicopter in the morning and flown to hospital.
Reports said he survived because he was carrying a dead pig, which cushioned his fall.
Walker became New Zealand's top jockey at 16 and last year broke the record for the fastest 100 wins in a season. He was on track this year to be the first New Zealander to ride 200 winners in a season.