Australian rugby star in coma
Shawn Mackay suffered horrific injuries
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Monday, 30, Mar 2009 09:13
Australian rugby player Shawn Mackay has been placed in a medically induced coma after being hit by an armed response vehicle.
According to the Canberra Times, Mackay has suffered a broken neck, broken leg and multiple facial fractures and lacerations.
The 26-year-old underwent surgery at St Augustine Hospital in Durban, South Africa and is in a serious but stable condition. He will remain in the coma for another 36 hours.
The specific details of the accident are still to be made public, although it is known that Mackay was heading back to the hotel early Sunday morning with his fellow team-mates from Australian side the Brumbies when he was hit by the vehicle.
"Shawn is currently in a critical condition but is stable and we won't know the full extent of his injuries until he is brought out of a coma in two days time," said Brumbies team doctor Warren McDonald.
Team manager Rob McQuade added: "They are very serious injuries as a result of the accident that occurred last night.
"Having come out of surgery he's in traction in a medically induced coma, which he will be kept in for the next 48 hours or so, as he undergoes further treatment on his injuries. It's really now just a case of waiting for the outcome of that surgery to see what that will provide."
Mackay started his career in rugby league with the Sydney Roosters where he spent five seasons before moving to the 15-man form of the game.
He signed for the Waratahs in 2006 before moving to the Brumbies last year. The back-rower has also played for the Australia sevens side.