Teen suffers devastating spinal injury during rugby match
A budding footy player has been left in a critical condition after he suffered a devastating spinal injury during a high school rugby fixture.
Alexander Clark, 15, was representing Brisbane’s prestigious St Joseph’s Nudgee College on Saturday when disaster struck.
Witnesses say he lay motionless on the ground after what 7 News understands was an injury from a tackle and not a scrum.
He was rushed to Lady Cilento Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to stabilise his neck.
A statement made by the school’s principal Peter Fullagar on Sunday said the Year 9 student would remain in ICU for at least 72 hours.
“The extent of his injury is unknown at this stage, and may not be known for days or weeks to come as Alexander recovers,” Mr Fullagar said.
He said the school’s focus was now to support the student and his family through “this difficult time”.
“Please continue to keep the Clark family in your thoughts and prayers. Please respect the family’s request for privacy at this time.”
The school confirmed it would offer counselling for those students who have been affected by Alexander’s injury.
Hundreds flooded to Facebook to leave their words of support for the teen.
“We can’t stop thinking about you Alexander. You are in our thoughts and prayers all day and night,” one user wrote.
“We are thinking of you Clarky and know you will get through this,” another said.
A Rugby Australia serious injury officer is investigating the incident – the fourth in the space of a month.
Alexander’s injury comes just weeks after 16-year-old Conor Tweedy suffered a catastrophic spinal injury at a school rugby match in Brisbane on July 21.
His legs are paralysed and he only has slight movement in his shoulders and elbows following the scrum accident but the teen still harbours hope of returning to rugby one day as he prepares for a lengthy rehabilitation.
And his family had words of encouragement for Alexander following his injury.
“Our hearts go out to him and his family … if they think we can offer anything now or in the future we would love to hear from them,” they said.
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On Sunday the Queensland Government wouldn’t say whether there should be an inquiry into the popular school sport.
“I know the rugby fraternity will be looking at anything they can do to make it safer for their players but right now the priority has to be supporting this young boy and his family,” MP Kate Jones said.
