ACT Brumbies player Shawn Mackay dies after hit-and-run

AAP http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25296057-29277,00.html

April 06, 2009 12:40pm

ACT Brumbies player Shawn Mackay has died after spending last week in a coma following a hit-and-run accident in Durban, South Africa.

Mackay, 26, died after suffering a cardiac arrest, a Brumbies spokesman said.

He had been in hospital, critically ill with multiple injuries, since the early hours of March 29 when he was hit by an armed response car in a Durban street.

He had shown some positive signs after being brought out of a medically induced coma late last week and underwent surgery.

"After his surgery, Shawn contracted an infection in his bloodstream," Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan said.

"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.''

Mackay had been admitted to St Augustine's hospital in Durban with a cervical spinal fracture and dislocation, a fractured skull as well as a broken leg and multiple facial fractures after being struck by the vehicle.

The incident occurred about 4.15am Durban time when Mackay and a number of other Brumbies were leaving a nightclub, having wound down after their Super 14 loss to the Sharks the previous evening.

Mackay's parents, John and Leonie, and girlfriend Trish flew to South Africa on Tuesday to be by his side.

The Brumbies were flying back to Australia today after completing their three-match trip to South Africa with a win over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein at the weekend.

I was terribly sad when I heard of his accident in South Africa and was hoping that being young and fit he would pull through. I was shattered to see that he had died. This Easter for those who loved him will forever have sad memories.

Brumbies honour Mackay with emotional win
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/04/11/2540969.htm?section=justin


The Brumbies brought some closure to a traumatic past fortnight with a hard-fought 17-10 victory over the Stormers at a rain-soaked Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.

Both teams and the crowd remembered Shawn Mackay before the match with a standing ovation after the 26-year-old Brumbies player died from injuries sustained when he was hit by a car in Durban.

The emotion was evident at ground level and seemingly spurred the Brumbies over the line in a dogged battle made worse by the atrocious conditions.

Replacement scrum-half Patrick Phibbs scored in the 60th minute before some inspired Brumbies defence held out to keep their finals hopes alive.

The Brumbies wore black armbands, as they will for the remainder of the season, while Mackay's name, player number (118 ) and years of his life (1982-2009) were embroidered on each of the Brumbies' jerseys.

The match was played in chilly conditions and driving rain and the only points in the first half came from Brumbies full-back Mark Gerrard, who slotted three penalties to give his side a 9-0 lead at half-time.

Stormers captain Jean de Villiers produced a brilliant jinking run to get his side on the scoreboard in the 44th minute. Peter Grant converted the try before Gerrard scored his fourth penalty six minutes later.

Phibbs then slid over the line after a defensive error from the Stormers gave the Brumbies possession inside the visitors's 22-metre area with 20 minutes remaining.

The scrum-half, who went to high school with Mackay, was immediately mobbed by his team-mates before he broke away and stared skywards for a few seconds.

"I'm really proud of the boys, it wasn't pretty but it was a gutsy effort," Brumbies coach Andy Friend said in a televised interview.

"We all lost a very good friend and great mate through the week so that one was for Macca and to his family and friends, that was for you guys."

George Smith said his team-mates had been through a trying week but battled hard to get the victory.

"Our thoughts have been with the Mackay family throughout the couple of weeks," he told Fox Sports.

"It was great to win tonight and great to get the win for Shawn."

Brumbies: 17 (P Phibbs try; M Gerrard 4 penalties)

Stormers: 10 (J De Villiers try; P Grant conversion, penalty)

- ABC/Reuters