Brumbies lock Mackay hit by car in Durban

[mudskipper]

Mackay to remain in induced coma for further spinal surgery
RUGBY UNION
1/04/2009 7:05:00 AM

Injured ACT Brumbies forward Shawn Mackay will remain in a medically-induced coma longer than initially expected so doctors can perform further surgery on his spine.

Medical staff at Durban's St Augustine's hospital, in consultation with Brumbies team doctor Warren McDonald, decided to keep the 26-year-old in his current state until the surgery was completed.

The surgery, to join two spinal vertebrae, is due to be performed tonight. It remains unknown how long after the surgery he will be brought out of the coma.

Mackay was originally set to be woken by doctors this morning, soon after his parents John and Leonie and partner Trish arrived in Durban.

Medical staff had then planned to test his mobility and feeling to determine whether part or full paralysis was likely.

But that process will now be delayed possibly for days while swelling of the spine is still prevalent.

Mackay has a broken neck, broken leg and multiple facial fractures after he was hit by a car in Durban on Sunday.

The Brumbies players who witnessed their teammate being knocked down have been questioned by authorities.

Durban police officers arrived at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Umhlanga Rocks on Monday night to talk to those who were with Mackay at the time of the accident.

There were 15 Brumbies still out at the time, 4.15am Mark Gerrard, Nic Henderson, George Smith, Stirling Mortlock, Josh Holmes, Salesi Ma'afu, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Lealiifano, Patrick Phibbs, Ben Hand, Gene Fairbanks, Huia Edmonds, Tyrone Smith, Francis Fainifo and Peter Kimlin.

While all were happy to assist police with their investigations, none was required to give a formal statement.

Police spokeswoman Phindile Radebe told The Canberra Times, ''As soon as the investigation is finalised and all statements have been received, it will be forwarded to the public prosecution for a decision.

''The investigation is a process. Sometimes that can take weeks.''

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news...y/1475039.aspx

[TOCC]

good luck shawn!

[mudskipper]

Operation holds the key for Brumbies forward
April 2, 2009

Doctors have opted not to bring Shawn Mackay out of his medically induced coma until after they carry out an operation on his spine.

The Brumbies forward, 26, sustained a cervical spinal fracture and dislocation, compound fractures to his left tibia and fibula and multiple fractures and lacerations when he was hit by a vehicle in Durban on Sunday morning.

Brumbies spokesman Nick Smith wrote in an email last night that "doctors have reviewed their plans and he will now remain sedated until after they have fused his cervical spine.

"This surgery is scheduled to take place on Wednesday [local time]. They will look to bring him out of the coma once they have completed this surgery. His condition remains critical but stable."

Mackay has been joined in Durban by his parents, Josh and Leonie, and partner, Trish. They flew to South Africa as soon as they could following the accident.

Mackay's younger brother, Matt, is still in Sydney, where his Randwick clubmates are offering their full support. Matt Mackay, also a second-rower, is expected to play this weekend. Randwick first-grade coach Gary Ella, whose side plays Warringah at Pittwater Park in round two of the Shute Shield on Saturday, will address all grade sides at training tonight to update them on Mackay's progress.

The accident occurred as Mackay and a number of teammates were leaving the Clapham Grand nightclub about 4.15am to enter a team security van that would take them back to their hotel, the Beverley Hills at Umhlanga Rocks.

Those teammates who witnessed the incident were questioned by police at the hotel, but it was reported that none were required to provide a formal statement.


http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...261647552.html

---------- Post added at 05:01 ---------- Previous post was at 04:51 ----------


Surgeons hoping to bring Mackay out of coma after operation
RUGBY UNION
2/04/2009 6:54:00 AM

Shawn Mackay's family hopes to discover today what his physical prospects will be when doctors bring him out of a medically-induced coma.
Mackay was scheduled for a five-hour operation overnight beginning at 1pm local time (10pm Canberra time). The surgery was a fusion of two vertebrae.

If he responds well to surgery, doctors will likely bring the 26-year-old out of his coma late today.

It is then doctors hope to be able to get a clearer understanding on how Mackay is physically progressing and whether part or full paralysis is likely.

Brumbies coach Andy Friend and team manager Rob McQuade picked Mackay's parents John and Leonie and partner Trish up from Durban airport Tuesday night and took them to the hospital.

Matt Toomua (who lives with Mackay and Trish in Canberra), Patrick Phibbs (who went to school with Mackay), Brumbies assistant coach Owen Finegan and team doctor Warren McDonald also visited the hospital.

Friend described Mackay's parents who he met for the first time the night the Brumbies lost to the Western Force four weeks ago as ''strong people''.

''It's been a really comforting thing for the family knowing Waz [McDonald] has been with Shawn basically the whole time and informing them every step of the way about his progress,'' Friend said.

''I saw Macca [Tuesday] and he looks strong. He's still the same Macca, with his hairstyle all slicked up in the middle.''

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news...n/1476396.aspx