Nathan Merritt update: South Sydney provide positive news after former NRL star was placed on life support
- Nathan Merritt has received a positive health update
- The former footy star was put on a ventilator this month
- He is now talking again, sits up and gets out of bed
Nathan Merritt from South Sydney is talking again, sitting up and getting out of bed, two and a half weeks after he collapsed and was put on a ventilator.
Merritt was rushed to the hospital and placed on a ventilator when he was found unconscious at his aunt’s home on October 6.
The 40-year-old woke up from his coma a week later. He remains at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and is showing signs of improvement, the Rabbitohs said on Monday.
In an update on social media, the club confirmed that Merritt was now able to get out of bed and started talking again.
“Great news about Nathan Merritt,” Souths posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Nathan Merritt is talking and sitting up again after being put on life support
South Sydney provided a positive health update on their former star
‘Nath can now get out of bed, sit up and talk to people!
‘He is recovering well and making progress every day, but still has a long way to go to a full recovery.
“Merro has asked us to thank all Rabbitohs fans for their support and prayers. It means so much to him.”
It is believed that Merritt’s collapse was caused by an adverse reaction to prescription painkillers.
The former Souths flyer had played in the Koori Knockout a week prior to the medical episode.
One of the most beloved figures in Souths’ modern history, Merritt is the club’s second most prolific try scorer.
A Redfern junior, Merritt’s 154 tries are equal 12th in the history of top-level Australian rugby league.