Tony Bower released the following statement to media yesterday.
The Darling Downs football community is extremely relieved that young Tarryn is showing positive signs of recovery. We are extremely grateful for the expertise shown by all those who were involved in the first aid process during this incident. These local hero's may have just saved this young mans life.
Our thoughts and best wishes remain with Tarryn and his family in this time of recovery.
Media Statement from Tony Bowers
As you know, Tarryn was injured during the course of play in the second quarter of a match between the Lockyer Valley Demons and Goondiwindi Hawks at Pittsworth Oval on Sunday.
He collapsed and suffered a cardiac arrest. He was given CPR at the scene and was later airlifted to Princess Alexandra Hospital where he was placed into an induced coma
I’m very pleased to say that Tarryn has now woken from his coma and is in a stable condition. He is responsive and reactive and, all going well, will leave the intensive care unit shortly.
We are awaiting further tests, though Doctors have advised that Tarryn will require a pacemaker to be fitted to him.
He is in remarkably good spirits and is being supported by family, friends, teammates and other members of the AFL and Darling Downs Football Community.
We want to sincerely thank everyone who has played a part in caring for Tarryn and also the many well-wishers supporting us.
Tarryn received extraordinary care and treatment on the day. Both clubs immediately came together with trainers and officials from Lockyer Valley and Goondiwindi uniting to provide the vital first aid and CPR that saved our son’s life. These initial efforts are what made the difference and we will be forever grateful to those who stepped up, stayed calm and used their training to save a young life.
We would also like to thank the ambulance service which provided three units and transported our son to the PA hospital via air wing. We greatly appreciate the efforts of the paramedics and pilots involved on the day.
Tarryn is now receiving the very best possible care at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and we thank the doctors and nurses who are looking after him so well. It’s times like these that you truly appreciate the expertise, skills and dedication of our health professionals.
Regarding the incident itself on Sunday, it has been referred to AFL Queensland, who will conduct an independent investigation. I will leave that to them but would simply add that our thoughts have also been with the players involved who no doubt have been distressed and concerned about what happened.
Our primary focus at present however is on the health and well-being of our son and while we are very optimistic about Tarryn’s recovery, we expect that it will take some time. We have all had quite a scare and Tarryn needs to be given the time and space to make a full recovery.
In conclusion, I just want to thank the many well-wishers who have been in touch and who have sent their thoughts to Tarryn and our family since Sunday. It is testament to the strength of our local community and also the football community more broadly who have provided us with strength and support at this really tough time.
Finally I want to thank the media for its sensitivity in reporting the situation. We appreciate the interest in Tarryn’s condition; however we ask that the privacy of our family and members of the Lockyer Valley Demons football club be respected as we cope with whatever comes next.
As soon as we are able we will provide everyone with a further update on his condition.
Last Modified on 05/08/2014 17:50
