Two country football players taken to hospital

Two country football players are in hospital with potential spinal injuries after separate "freak" accidents.

The incidents took place during an Aussie Rules games between Ovens and Murray league in Albury, NSW and a Heathcote District league clash between Elmore and Heathcote in Victoria.

In the first incident Albury player James McQuillan was taken to hospital with concerns for his neck and later placed in an induced coma for safety reasons after colliding with another player while Heathcote coach Grant Ford also hurt his neck during a collision in general play during the second incident.

Albury Club President Gavan Schultz told the Herald Sun the knock which injured McQuillan was a "freak accident".

“There’s no secret to the fact that he potentially has spinal damage,” Schultz said. “It’s a very sombre mood here. We’re all hoping for the best result.”

Heathcote District league secretary Trevor Arnel said Ford was wearing a helmet at the time of his injury.

From my understanding, he was involved a collision and went down," Arnel said. "He’s hurt his neck.”

“They took precautions and called the ambulance.”

Both matches were called off after the injuries.

The injuries come just over a week after Newcastle Knights NRL player Alex McKinnon suffered an injury which left him facing the prospect of life in a wheelchair.

Source: The Herald Sun

Author: Simon Black, Approving editor: Simon Black