Search
shop

Kat Matthews admits ‘I don’t understand how I didn’t die’ after horror accident

Episode 3 of 'Crushed - The Kat Matthews Story' is out now
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

In the third episode of the PTO Documentary “Crushed: The Kat Matthews story,” Matthews ponders how she didn’t die at the scene of the road traffic accident in Texas last September. The positivity in this episode sheds light on a remarkable return that took her to the podium at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside

Advertisement

It could have been so different

In a powerful sequence, Matthews ponders: “I don’t understand how I don’t have a brain injury. I don’t understand how my neck didn’t break, and I don’t understand how I didn’t die at the scene, because of the amount of trauma, the amount of force, it doesn’t make any sense to me.”

When she’d rather be concerned with whether she’s pushed too hard in training, Matthews is still worried about ongoing pain: “I wonder if I will I ever wake up again and my back doesn’t hurt… will I ever just have a healthy back again. Nobody really knows.”

Lesser accidents kill people

Maureen Gibbons, an Emergency Trained Physician speaks about the night Matthews was admitted to hospital. “I’ve seen lesser accidents kill people and I’ve seen worse incidents not. It could have been a very different day for everybody.”

Gibbons highlights some of the challenges ahead: “It can take up to a year for the tissues to remodel. Because she’s going to train so hard anyway, she’s going to have issues… she’ll be stronger for it, I bet.”

Potential to rival the greats

Having also been hit by a car leading into Kona in 2017, Tim Don gives his take on Matthew’s return. The former IRONMAN world record holder said: “The beauty with Kat is that she’s young enough. The worst thing she can do is too much, too soon.”

“She wants to be remembered as someone who has podiumed at Kona. She’s got to believe that can still happen. She could win Kona five times.”

Stability

Husband Mark Matthews reveals that she may never fully recover but explains how his own career choice to leave the Army will help provide a foundation, a stable base in Loughborough instead of being ‘on the hoof’. He says: “With me leaving the Army I think this is the first year she’s been able to train how she should be training.”

“She’s so resilient. If she had to finish an ironman tomorrow, she’d do it sub 9.”

She’s also attracted new sponsors, including Canyon, who explain their drive to work with ‘people who are successful’. Something Kat Matthews has gained yet more confidence from: “They know what I’ve been through and they’re still backing me to win.”

Advertisement

Good enough to win again

If self believe is a foundation for success, you will be hard pressed not to believe that Kat Matthews will be back on top of the podium very soon. “I don’t think it really crossed my mind that I wouldn’t get back to pro triathlon.

“I felt like I was good enough to win last year and I didn’t get the chance to show it and now I want to be good enough to win again.”

Helen Gorman
Written by
Helen Gorman
Helen is part of the editorial team at TRI247 after spending ten years as a Press Officer with British Triathlon. She's mostly found at a pool, sometimes breaking world masters records.
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
Kona scenic 2022 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
The survey results which prompted IRONMAN’s dramatic Kona U-turn
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...