A RUGBY league player's condition in hospital had improved to "serious but stable" two days after he was injured during a game in the Hunter Valley.
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A man aged in his 20s was on the field for the Muswellbrook Rams first-grade game against the Denman Devils on Sunday, May 26, when tragedy struck at about 3.30pm.
The Rams player collapsed during the Hunter Valley Group 21 match at Muswellbrook's Olympic Park.
He was urgently flown by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, where he was placed in an induced coma and was fighting for his life in a critical condition.
A Hunter New England health district spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday the man's condition had been changed to "serious but stable".
A NSW Rugby League spokesperson said on Monday a Rams player had collapsed during the game.
"The NSWRL will continue to provide support to the family and the clubs involved and also requests that the family's privacy be respected at this difficult time," the spokesperson said.
A Denman Rugby League Football Club spokesperson said on Monday the organisation extended its thoughts to the "injured player, his family and the entire Rams community after an unbelievably rough 24 hours".
"To our players and supporters who were at Olympic Park on Sunday you all have our unconditional support, we will have services available to you in the coming days," a spokesperson said.
It's understood this weekend's rounds of Hunter Valley Group 21 Rugby League matches have been postponed to a date yet to be determined.
Michael Parris
Michael Parris reports on politics for the Newcastle Herald. He started at the Herald in 1994 after working in the ABC Newcastle newsroom. Michael spent much of his career as a sub-editor before moving into political reporting in 2017. He was a finalist in the Sports Australia national media awards for his stories about a male-only tennis club in Newcastle. He has covered NSW and federal elections, state and federal budgets and local politics. He has also written extensively about the COVID-19 pandemic with a special focus on data analysis and the effects of lockdowns on the Hunter community.
Michael Parris reports on politics for the Newcastle Herald. He started at the Herald in 1994 after working in the ABC Newcastle newsroom. Michael spent much of his career as a sub-editor before moving into political reporting in 2017. He was a finalist in the Sports Australia national media awards for his stories about a male-only tennis club in Newcastle. He has covered NSW and federal elections, state and federal budgets and local politics. He has also written extensively about the COVID-19 pandemic with a special focus on data analysis and the effects of lockdowns on the Hunter community.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
