Shawn Mackay 1982-2009
Brumbies forward Shawn Mackay died on Monday morning in a Durban hospital after complications following being hit by an armed response security vehicle outside a nightclub eight days earlier. Mackay was just twenty six.
Mackay had been out with fellow Brumbies players after their loss to the Sharks in the Super 14 earlier that day. The incident took place at roughly 4:15am when they were leaving a club in Umgeni road, Durban.
The statement from the driver of the vehicle documented that he had slowed down to the speed limit when he saw people around. Mackay apparently crossed the road, before turning back again, in front of the car.
Mackay was admitted to St Augustine's Hospital 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.
He had shown positive signs days after the incident, so news of his death had come as a shock after he had been brought out of his medically induced coma last week.
He developed an infection in his bloodstream, and his condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to his passing on Monday morning.
“It is a black day in Australian rugby and Australian sport generally. For a tragedy like that to happen is terrible,” Australian lock Nathan Sharpe said.
Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting, in South Africa with the national team, passed on the side's condolences after he'd spent time with Brumbies players and Mackay's parents over the weekend.
Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill said Mackay was "a credit to the game of rugby, and much loved by all who knew him."
"This news today has shocked not only the rugby world but the entire sporting fraternity given the friends Shawn had across the various codes."
South African Rugby have announced that a moment's silence would be observed before upcoming matches in the country this weekend.
Time: 02:13
Mackay had been out with fellow Brumbies players after their loss to the Sharks in the Super 14 earlier that day. The incident took place at roughly 4:15am when they were leaving a club in Umgeni road, Durban.
The statement from the driver of the vehicle documented that he had slowed down to the speed limit when he saw people around. Mackay apparently crossed the road, before turning back again, in front of the car.
Mackay was admitted to St Augustine's Hospital 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.
He had shown positive signs days after the incident, so news of his death had come as a shock after he had been brought out of his medically induced coma last week.
He developed an infection in his bloodstream, and his condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to his passing on Monday morning.
“It is a black day in Australian rugby and Australian sport generally. For a tragedy like that to happen is terrible,” Australian lock Nathan Sharpe said.
Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting, in South Africa with the national team, passed on the side's condolences after he'd spent time with Brumbies players and Mackay's parents over the weekend.
Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill said Mackay was "a credit to the game of rugby, and much loved by all who knew him."
"This news today has shocked not only the rugby world but the entire sporting fraternity given the friends Shawn had across the various codes."
South African Rugby have announced that a moment's silence would be observed before upcoming matches in the country this weekend.
Time: 02:13
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39 Comments:
It's a terrible shame. What a senseless waste.
By Anonymous, at April 07, 2009 4:05 pm
RIP Shawn.
A terrible waste. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
By Third Centre, at April 07, 2009 4:37 pm
RIP.
The loss of anybody from the Rugby world is a horrible thing.
Condolences from England.
By Fridge, at April 07, 2009 5:20 pm
R.I.P Shawny
Any loss in the world is a sad one. Mackay forever!!!
By Anonymous, at April 07, 2009 5:40 pm
Very sad story but also a shining example that getting drunk and walking across the road isn't a great combo.
By Anonymous, at April 07, 2009 5:47 pm
R.I.P. Shawn
By Ben, at April 07, 2009 6:11 pm
RIP Shawn.
Best wishes and condolences to his family.
Horrible loss not just to the aus rugby community, but to the whole world of rugby.
By Anonymous, at April 07, 2009 6:15 pm
i didn't know this player
but a sad new fotr every rugby lover
Condolences from France, to his family
By Flooz, at April 07, 2009 6:39 pm
RIP
By FEDOR, at April 07, 2009 6:40 pm
All my love and thoughts go out to his family and friends.
Such a tragic thing to happen.
I wonder why he turned back before he was hit?
He is the same age as me as well.
By Anonymous, at April 07, 2009 6:45 pm
still cant believe it ..so sad:(..
R.I.P Shawn Mackay
By Alain, at April 07, 2009 7:04 pm
RIP shawn
didnt hear of him but always sad to hear new like his. my thoughts with his family and teammates
Condolences from England.
By Anonymous, at April 07, 2009 7:16 pm
condolences frm ireland
if i see that this video gets removed... what a faggot whoever removes it on youtube.
By bd, at April 07, 2009 8:52 pm
RIP Shawn
Very Sad news for the world of Rugby.
By Anonymous, at April 07, 2009 9:07 pm
RIP from wales
By Anonymous, at April 07, 2009 9:30 pm
R.I.P Shawn.
terrible, hate when this happens.
best wishes and condolenses to his family and his loved ones!
By Anonymous, at April 07, 2009 10:43 pm
RIP!!
Condolences to family and friends!!!
By Cheis, at April 07, 2009 10:56 pm
Sad, really sad.
I think that staying in a night club till 4:00 am is relevant too.
By Manfred, at April 08, 2009 12:07 am
Rest in peace mate.. so sad for this to happen in my former home town. I know Umgeni Road well...
Condolences from SA. Best wishes to the family and loved ones, and the Brumbies. Going to be a tough week with one less mate on the training paddock.
Very sad indeed.
By Shaft, at April 08, 2009 12:45 am
Three years ago he was among the possible new signing for my town's team: Rugby Rovigo... i didn't forget him since then, following his duties with sevens rugby and then with super14 involvements... an outstanding player and a precious person... he'll be surely missed...
By Anonymous, at April 08, 2009 1:54 am
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
By Heartless, at April 08, 2009 2:44 am
best wishes and condolenses to his family and friends from Argentina...
By Anonymous, at April 08, 2009 4:30 am
Awful tragedy to rob a young man of his life and rugby of such a promising player.
May he rest in peace.
By Unknown, at April 08, 2009 6:00 am
RIP from Canada.. passings of a Rugby player, and the community, as a whole, gets into the same mindset.. an amazing sport.
By Cory, at April 08, 2009 9:00 am
Rest in Peace, Shawn MacKay!
Condolences from Germany
By winger, at April 08, 2009 11:53 am
Condolences from Portugal.
A terrible waste in the world of rugby :/
By Anonymous, at April 08, 2009 1:53 pm
Had never come across him before, but watching this I can tell he's a special person as well as a talented player, as said before, a senseless waist,
Condolences from Britain
By Anonymous, at April 08, 2009 1:57 pm
It's just awful news. I'm from Brisbane and I have a few mates in the rugby community who knew him well and from all accounts he was the most easy-going friendly bloke you'd ever like to meet. Condolences to his family and friends.
R.I.P
By Mike, at April 08, 2009 2:01 pm
Great Player, great man.
RIP Shawn.
Condolences from Italy.
By italianscrummy, at April 08, 2009 2:11 pm
We dont have to worry... Now he's playing in heaven
RIP Shawn
From a sad Italyan rugby player
By Anonymous, at April 08, 2009 3:58 pm
R.I.P Shawn Mackay.
The big loss for rugby world lovers.
Condolences from Malaysia.
By kayan, at April 08, 2009 4:02 pm
RIP Shawn
By Anonymous, at April 08, 2009 4:25 pm
RIP shawn
By Anonymous, at April 08, 2009 9:00 pm
Thoughts and prayers to all that knew Shawn. A tremendous loss to the rugby world and world as a whole.
I urge that we learn from this and are more cognizant and careful when out on the piss with the lads. This kind of thing should not happen.
Condolences from Canada.
By Anonymous, at April 08, 2009 9:14 pm
RIP Shawn
Condolences from England
By Anonymous, at April 08, 2009 9:51 pm
great to see that even though NH and SH banter like crazy, in the end the players and rugby in general will always create a comradery that no other sport can have. Brothers till the end i say...RIP Shawn, rugby is a game they play in heaven...play your little heart out!
Arohanui from NZ!
By Paul, at April 09, 2009 1:26 am
yeah, horrible news .
dude was also a former coach of the world champ Aussie Women's 7s .
By boomshanka, at April 09, 2009 6:51 am
can we stop the comments critasizing him for staying at a nightclub untill 4 am, anyone in the real rugby world, i.e those who play regularly in a propper club will know half of rugby is on th pitch and the other half in the bar, it's completely normal behaviour for a player, and he was there with all his team mates,
Rip to a great man
By Anonymous, at April 09, 2009 12:05 pm
The loss any fellow rugby players is sad :'(
Condolosence from Hong Kong
By Anonymous, at April 09, 2009 12:10 pm
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