University player Halley Appleby hospitalised after injury in rugby union match at Ashgrove
CRITICAL: University hooker Halley Appleby is in intensive care after a suspected heart attack in a rugby game yesterday. Source: Supplied
A FOOTBALLER is fighting for his life after a freak accident during a rugby union match at Ashgrove, Brisbane, yesterday.
Halley Appleby had a promising football career, but last night lay in the intensive care unit at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital with suspected spinal injuries.
The 21-year-old University hooker reportedly suffered a heart attack after a tackle in the A-grade clash against home side GPS.
A Department of Community Safety spokeswoman said Mr Appleby was unconscious and not breathing when ambulance officers arrived shortly after 4pm.
The officers performed CPR to keep him alive.
Paramedics and club official set up white screens around the injured player while they treated him on the ground.
He was placed on a stretcher and transferred to a nearby ambulance.
Other players and spectators were visibly upset by the emergency.
Police attended the ground and took statements from witnesses.
Coach Mick Heenan said Mr Appleby, who has played for the UQ club for more than four years, had run on to the field minutes before the accident to replace another player.
"It will be some days before we know what the outcome is," Mr Heenan said.
"He's not breathing by himself, but he's alive and that's a positive thing. He sustained a significant injury and they are not able to operate because there is too much swelling or too much blood around the brain. They need to wait."
Mr Heenan said teammates were rallying around the seriously injured player.
"It's a traumatic event for everyone and everyone's thoughts and prayers are with Halley," Mr Heenan said.
"He's only a young bloke. He's a good young man. There was nothing illegal about the tackle, it was just accidental."
Friends last night posted well wishes on Facebook, including Ben Wedlock who wrote: "Mate you will pull through. Thinking of you Hal. Love brother."
Adam Garred wrote: "Hold in there mate, thoughts are with you", while Ian Prior wrote: "Hope you get better Hal, you of all people can pull through this mate. Thoughts are with you and your family."