Skychannel Caller/presenter Collapses
 

As reported on foxnews.com.au;

ONE of Australia's brightest young sports broadcasters has been airlifted out of China in an induced coma after being floored by a "one in a million" virus sparked by Beijing's intense heat and humidity.
Matthew Hill, a 27-year-old described as Australia's best young racecaller, is seriously ill after suffering heat stress while calling the rowing regatta in stifling heat and humidity on the first day of Olympic competition last Saturday.

Hill complained of a migraine on Saturday night but he continued to work inside 2GB's air-conditioned studio for the next two days. But he fell from a chair on Monday and was rushed to hospital.

Broadcaster Ray Hadley said Hill had expected to return to work later this week but his condition deteriorated further on Tuesday night and a decision was made to airlift him to a specialist respiratory unit in Hong Kong yesterday.

Hill's brother Tim was flying from Sydney yesterday to be with him in Hong Kong.

"It's some sort of bug or virus inside his body that has been accentuated by the heat stress he suffered on the first day. It appears to be just a one in a million chance," Hadley said in Beijing yesterday.

"Even yesterday, when I was talking to doctors, they thought it was incomprehensible that he could deteriorate as quickly as perhaps he was going to and did last night. It's come as a major shock to everyone. We are gravely concerned for him."

Hadley rejected suggestions Hill's condition was life-threatening and said the Australian Olympic Committee's chief medical officer had not conveyed that thought after assessing the broadcaster.

Hill's condition was not listed by Chinese medical authorities, who do not classify patients' conditions in the same way as Australian hospitals.

Two-time Olympic rowing champion Mike McKay called alongside Hill at the rowing venue on Saturday and said he did not appear to be ill that day.

"He was as good as gold during the day and he was quite happy with the way that everything had gone," McKay said.

"He started complaining of a migraine on Saturday night and we thought it was just dehydration."

Hadley said that doctors had advised him that none of 2GB's staff in Beijing were in danger of catching the bug.

"There are thousands of us here and none of us have fallen ill. We are told by health officials that it's non-communicable," he said.

Hill has been an integral part of Sky Channel's national and international racing coverage for the last nine years.

He has risen in the ranks to be the number two Sydney racecaller and is heir apparent to long-serving caller Ian Craig.

Hill was invited to join 2GB's team for the Olympics after approaching Hadley, who was impressed by his skills.

Lets hope he recovers soon.

Matthew Hill recovering from severe pneumonia
 

15/08/2008 11:57:00 AM.
Sports commentator Matthew Hill is beginning to recover from severe pneumonia.

27-year-old Matt collapsed in Beijing on Monday while covering the Olympic Games for Macquarie Radio, after a rapid deterioration in his condition he was airlifted to Hong Kong for further treatment.

His condition has now improved and he is fully conscious, but he remains in intensive care.

Matt's family says he's getting the best possible care and making gradual progress, but doctors say his recovery will take weeks and he needs plenty of rest.

They've thanked his team of doctors, the Australian embassy and the AOC, as well as his employers, friends and colleagues from home.

His family has requested privacy while he recouperates.