Jack Newton Plane Accident: When and how did Jack Newton lose his arm?

Jack Newton was an Australian professional golfer.

Jack Newton was born in Cessnock, New South Walesa and was one of Australia’s most successful golfers in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Jack Newton turned professional in 1971 and won his first professional tournament – the Dutch Open – in 1972.

Jack Newton notched up several victories over the next decade as he won titles such as the British Matchplay in 1974, the Buick-Goodwrench Open in 1978, and the Australian Open Championship in 1979.

Jack Newton won the PGA Tour of Australia’s Order of Merit in 1979 and finished tied for second at the 1980 Masters Tournament behind the winner Seve Ballesteros.

When and how did Jack Newton lose his arm?

On 24 July 1983, during the height of his professional career, Jack Newton had a near-fatal accident when he walked into the spinning propeller of a Cessna airplane he was about to board at Sydney Airport.

A severe rainstorm was in progress at the time, and in addition, safety aspects near the plane were deficient.

Jack Newton was about to return to Newcastle having flown to Sydney that morning to see a VFL game between the Sydney Swans and Melbourne Football Club.

As a result of the propeller accident, Jack newton lost his right arm and eye, and sustained severe abdominal injuries.

Immediately after the accident, doctors gave Jack Newton a 50-50 chance of surviving.

Jack Newton spent several days in a coma and eight weeks in intensive care.

After a prolonged rehabilitation from his injuries, Jack Newton returned to public life as a television and radio golf commentator, newspaper reporter, golf course designer, public speaker and Chairman of the Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation.

Jack Newton taught himself to play golf one-handed, swinging the club with his left hand in a right-handed stance.

Jack Newton was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis in 2003 and died on April 15, 2022.