Brumbies 'absolutely devastated' by Mackay death

Monday, April 6, 2009 - 2:40 PM
Source: ABC News


The ACT Brumbies Super 14 rugby union club is in mourning after the death of player Shawn Mackay in a Durban hospital this morning.

Mackay, 26, suffered numerous injuries when he was hit by an armed response vehicle on March 29, and has been in and out of a medically induced coma since.

He suffered a badly broken leg, spinal and head injuries. His death has shocked the Brumbies and the wider rugby community.

"Everyone in the organisation from the players to the coaching staff and the administrative staff are just absolutely devastated and shocked," said the Brumbies' chief executive, Andrew Fagan.

Mr Fagan says the club is determined to maintain focus despite the tragedy.

"I expect that they'll try and do their best again this weekend against the Stormers," he said.

"We'll stick together and look after each other and do the best we can."

He underwent surgery to fuse two vertebrae, two days later he was brought out of the coma and showed movement in his legs and arms as well as recognising his parents who had flown to South Africa following the accident.

In the past 48 hours his condition worsened after he contracted a bacterial infection.

This morning at 11:00am AEST he suffered a heart attack and died soon after.

Mackay was in his first season with the Brumbies after captaining the Australian Sevens team at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006.

"After his surgery Shawn contracted an infection in his bloodstream," added Mr Fagan.

"He deteriorated rapidly and suffered a cardiac arrest from which he didn't recover.

"It's devastating news for his family and for all of the Brumbies community.

"Our thoughts and those of the players are with his family at this most difficult time."