Grand National jockey welcomed home
Grand National winning jockey Ryan Mania has returned home to a hero's welcome - just hours after being discharged from hospital in Newcastle.
The 23-year-old triumphed in the world-famous race on Saturday but was airlifted to hospital the following day after falling from another horse at Hexham.
The jockey was in Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary for two nights but was released and travelled to his home town of Galashiels in the Scottish Borders for a homecoming parade.
Hundreds of people lined the streets to congratulate him as he toured the town centre on the back of a 4x4 truck before speaking on a stage in front of the Auld Mill pub.
Mania said the last few days had been "crazy" and that he was overwhelmed by the turnout in his home town.
– Ryan Mania"It means everything, I mean all these people are here to see me and it's a bit overwhelming really, I can't thank them enough.
"The National is the biggest race in the world and it's mad really that I won, but to see all the people here is heartwarming."
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