Former Warrior Lythe's wife seriously injured in accident

The rugby league community is rallying around former Warriors player Ben Lythe after his wife Mardie was seriously injured in a flying fox accident last week.

Brother-in-law Nick Margison said Mardie had severed her spine in the fall.

"Tragically, she is now a paraplegic and has zero chance of ever walking again,'' he said.

"Her next four months will be spent in a spinal unit before returning home in a wheelchair.

"A trust fund has been set up so Ben can take time off work to look after their four kids and to find a rental without stairs that will allow wheelchair access to be built.''

Margison appealed to Lythe's former team-mates at the Warriors, the Mount Albert Lions and the Glenora Bears to contribute to the fund.

Former Warrior Awen Guttenbeil is working with the old boys' network to generate support for Lythe, who made five NRL appearances for the club in 2000, represented New Zealand Residents and played extensively on the Auckland club scene and in the old Bartercard Cup competition.

Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said the club would donate $5000 towards the fund.

"Our hearts go out to Ben, Mardie and their family at this terrible time,'' he said.

A Warriors press statement said donations could be made via internet banking to:

Account name: Lythe

Account No: 38-9007-0327920-01