Aussie Rules player suffers ‘life-changing injuries’ and is placed in induced coma after pub incident
- The SANFL player had played that day
- Was this the only person involved in the incident
- His club and family have released statements
An Aussie Rules player is in an induced coma after an incident outside a pub in Port Lincoln, South Australia, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Sam May, 24, of the West Adelaide Bloods, is believed to have suffered serious injuries following the incident outside the Pier Hotel in Port Lincoln.
Exactly what happened is unclear, but he was the only person involved.
The incident happened 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 was placed in an induced coma after suffering “life-altering injuries” in an off-field incident.
May, a 182cm defender, recorded seven disposals, three goals and three tackles in the match which took place at the Norwood regional area on the 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 early morning incident in Port Lincoln on Sunday morning,” Bloods general manager 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 scene to help May.
May, pictured lower left, is part of the club’s management group and had just played 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 help Sam.
May’s family also released a statement thanking her supporters for helping them through this difficult time.
“We are truly grateful for the incredible care our beautiful boy received in Port Lincoln (before) being transferred to Adelaide and now to the RAH,” his family said in a statement.
“He was fortunate to be surrounded by such caring and intelligent people. Special thanks also to club doctor Megan Deakin, who was one of the first responders to help Sam.
“We are forever grateful that his loyal Westies family and the beautiful Heard family are by his side.
“Sammy is the light of our lives and we absolutely love and adore him, as does everyone who is lucky enough to meet him. As horrible and difficult as this is, we just have to wait now.
“Your love, strength and prayers for our Sammy are appreciated beyond measure. We have always been incredibly proud of Sammy, everything he has achieved and the fabulous young man he is; he has always been such an inspiration.
“We all know he has the heart of a lion and an incredibly brave spirit. He will do everything he can to get back to his best. Sincere thanks and lots of love.
“Sue, Daz, Tom and Sam.”
