Rugby: Paralysis fears for Brumbies forward

CANBERRA - There are fears ACT Brumbies forward Shawn Mackay could be left paralysed after he was struck by a car in Durban at the weekend.

South African police say the driver of the car, that belonged to an armed response security company, may be charged with reckless and negligent driving.

Mackay, 26, suffered a cervical spinal fracture and dislocation as well as a broken leg and multiple facial fractures and lacerations.

The incident occurred about 4.15am Durban time on Sunday when Mackay and a number of other Brumbies were leaving a club, having wound down after their Super 14 loss to the Sharks on Saturday night.

He was in a critical but stable condition on Monday and was expected to remain in a medically induced coma for treatment following surgery the previous day.

Sharks team doctor Craig Springate said there was some concern about the possibility of paralysis, but that it was too early to tell.

"He has suffered multiple injuries and fractures which can be classified as serious," Springate said.

"There is some concern about paralysis, but we will only know when he recovers from the anaesthetic. The spinal cord is intact but there is some swelling."

Derrick Banks, a spokesman with South Africa's national emergency medical care network, said when paramedics arrived on the scene, they found Mackay lying on the side on the road.

"He had suffered massive injuries and had to have advanced life support intervention," Banks said.

Brumbies team doctor Warren McDonald, who was working with staff at Durban's St Augustine's Hospital, said Mackay was receiving around the clock intensive care and treatment.

"He is currently in a critical condition but is stable and we won't know the full extent of his injuries until he is brought out of a coma in two days time," McDonald said.

Mackay was crossing a road to get to a team security van for the trip back to the hotel when he was hit by the car.

The driver is understood to have initially left the scene before returning 10 minutes later.

Brumbies media spokesman Nick Smith said the players were obviously in shock.

They were set to go on safari on Monday but cancelled those plans to stay in Durban.

Brumbies management arranged for Mackay's family and partner to fly to Durban and his parents departed for South Africa on Monday.

Mackay, who came off the bench in the 35-14 loss to the Sharks, joined the Brumbies at the start of the season from the NSW Waratahs.

He has been a member of the Australian Sevens side since 2004 and also spent five years playing rugby league with Sydney Roosters juniors.

Waratahs and Wallabies star Lote Tuqiri, who played sevens with Mackay, said all of his former NSW teammates had been rocked by the news.

"You just hope he's in good health, really, and just feel for him and his family and what they're going through," he said.

"We talked about it today and all our thoughts are with him and his family at the moment, and the Brumbies as well.

"He skippered our sevens team and was a part of this squad for the last few years, so he was really amongst the boys and just a really good teammate."

Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said Mackay's accident was a major downer for the entire Australian rugby fraternity.

"All the boys who play together for all the four (Super) teams know each other pretty well and it's not good news to hear this," he said.

"So we just hope that everything goes well for him in terms of his recovery."

The Brumbies are scheduled to travel to Bloemfontein on Thursday ahead of this weekend's match with the Cheetahs.

- AAP