An amateur footballer is receiving “end of life care” after suffering horrific head injuries during a game in the northern suburbs of Melbourne.
Epping player Nathan Fitzgerald was rushed to hospital in a critical condition on Saturday after clashing heads with a teammate and recoiling into the synthetic cricket pitch at Lalor Reserve.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Footballer in end-of-life care after freak pitch accident
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The Northern Football Netball League (NFNL) division three reserves match against Lalor was abandoned as trainers from both clubs and paramedics performed CPR and defibrillation for almost an hour before Fitzgerald was transported to The Royal Melbourne Hospital where he underwent brain surgery on Saturday night. The senior game was also abandoned.
The 27-year-old school teacher was later placed in an induced coma.
In a statement on Sunday, Epping said: “The Epping Football Netball Club is devastated to share that our much-loved teammate and clubman Nathan Fitzgerald’s condition deteriorated overnight and is now receiving end-of-life care.
“The entire Fitzgerald family is in our thoughts during this horrible situation and we ask that you respect their privacy.
“Please take a moment to hug and kiss your loved ones; life is precious.
“34 – Forever Fitzy”
The club’s players, coaches and supporters gathered at Epping Recreational Reserve on Sunday to support each other through the unfolding tragedy.
The NFNL said it was nothing other than a freak accident.
“There is no suggestion that what took place was anything other than a football accident,” the league said in a statement.
“The NFNL would like to thank the medical teams of both clubs who provided critical first aid until emergency services arrived.
“Our thoughts are with the injured player and their family and ask that their privacy be respected.”
Ambulance Victoria CEO Jordan Emery lauded the efforts of the first-responders who snapped into action before paramedics arrived.
“(This is) a really extreme example of how awful situations like this can happen,” he said.
Messages of love and support for Epping and the Fitzgerald family have flooded social media since news of the devastating incident emerged.
Aadesh Narayan said: “Absolutely devastated. Nathan Fitzgerald was one of the most down to earth and genuine blokes I’ve ever met.
“I worked with him at Woolworths Plenty Valley for many years. He radiated good energy that was contagious. Always had a smile on his face.
“When I ran into him a couple of months ago, we had a good chat and he was still radiating that pure and wholesome energy. A hard working man with so much ahead of him.
“I am truly heartbroken hearing this news. My sincere condolences to his partner, family, loved ones and students that he taught. 34 – Forever Fitzy.”
Fitzgerald had played 10 games for Epping this year, including one in the seniors.
