Aussie Rules player suffers ‘life altering injuries’ and is placed in induced coma after pub incident
- SANFL player had played that day
- Was the only person involved in the incident
- His club and family have released statements
An Aussie Rules player is in a medically induced coma following an incident outside a pub in Port Lincoln, South Australia, early Sunday morning.
Sam May, 24, of the West Adelaide Bloods, reportedly suffered life-changing injuries from the incident outside the Pier Hotel in Port Lincoln.
It’s unclear exactly what happened, but he was the only person involved.
The incident occurred after the Bloods played a SANFL match against Norwood at Centenary Oval for the annual Teakle Cup.
Sam May is a defender for the West Adelaide Bloods in the SANFL competition. He has been placed in an induced coma after suffering ‘life-changing injuries’ in an off-field incident
May, a 182cm defender, had recorded seven disposals, three marks and three tackles in the match played in the Norwood regional zone on Eyre Peninsula.
His club released a statement confirming only that an ‘incident’ had occurred.
“The West Adelaide Football Club can confirm that senior men’s player Sam May was involved in an incident in Port Lincoln early on Sunday morning,” Bloods CEO Conny Wilson said.
“Our priority is the health and wellbeing of Sam and his family, as well as the wider West Adelaide community.”
The injured player’s family thanked club doctor Megan Deakin, who was one of the first responders on the scene to assist May.
May, pictured bottom left, is part of the club’s leadership group and was just playing for West Adelaide that day
May’s family released a statement thanking supporters, including club doctor Megan Deakin, who was one of the first responders to assist Sam
May’s family also released a statement thanking supporters for helping them through a difficult time.
“We are truly grateful for the incredible care our beautiful boy received in Port Lincoln (before being transferred to Adelaide and now at the RAH),” his family said in a statement.
“He is blessed to be surrounded by such caring, smart people. Special thanks also go to club doctor Megan Deakin, who was one of the first responders assisting Sam.
“We are forever grateful that his loyal Westies family and the beautiful Heard family were by his side.
“Sammy is the light of our lives and we absolutely love and adore him, as do everyone else fortunate enough to meet him. As awful and difficult as it is, we just have to wait now.
“Your love, strength and prayers for our Sammy are extremely appreciated. We have always been so incredibly proud of Sammy, for all he has achieved and the fantastic young man he is; he has always been such an inspiration.
“We all know he has the heart of a lion and an incredibly courageous spirit. He will do everything he can to get back to his best. Sincere thanks and much love.
“Sue, Daz, Tom and Sam.”