Horror on-field incident leaves footy player, 23, with her spine broken in three places

A much-loved young footballer faces an uncertain future after breaking her spine in three places during a tackle that went horribly wrong.

The horrific incident occurred when Mikaela Lankowski was injured while attempting to tackle an opponent during a rugby match for Dalby Diehards against the Gatton Hawks in Queensland on May 12.

After “she felt some tingling in her hands,” the 23-year-old had to remain still until the ambulance arrived.

Lankowski was transported to Dalby Hospital before being transferred to Toowoomba Hospital and ultimately Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.

The popular club identity then received the news she was dreading, with scans confirming a fracture and two fractures in three of her vertebrae.

The horror incident occurred when Mikaela (pictured) was injured on May 12 while playing rugby league for the Dalby Diehards against the Gatton Hawks in Queensland.

The popular club identity (pictured with the ball in her hand) then received the news she was dreading – and now her teammates and friends are coming to help her

Lankowski – who worked as a cleaner at Dalby Hospital – is now awaiting surgery and also faces a lengthy rehabilitation process.

Her teammates – led by captain Sarah Milton – have rallied around her.

a GoFundMe page has since been set up to help with associated costs, raising just over $6,500 at the time of publication.

“It’s really heartbreaking,” Milton said News Corp. ‘Mikaela is a really great person, very humble.

‘She [has already] contacted the girl she tackled and said, “Don’t worry, it’s not your fault.”

“She loves her footy, is a great leader and gives her all in everything she does in life.

‘Mik is the life of the party everywhere we go.’