Local player joins 'broken neck' brigade

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 48, 22 May 1984, Page 3

Local player joins 'broken neck' brigade

Brian Spurr, 6' 2" and 16stone lock for the Ohakune Senior Division Three team, has now returned home encased in plaster following a recent rugby injury sustained in a game against Waiouru. But he is no longer 16stone ... he now weighs 18 stone and, with the extra 2stone of plaster which encases him from waist to head, he can no longer wear many of his own clothes apart from loose fitting jumpers and T-shirts. Brian Spurr had his neck broken in the game when tackled by an opposition player. Fortunately for him the sister from Waiouru Base Hospital was on First Aid duty at the ground and her experience was invaluable. The game was recommenced on an adjacent field, whilst Mr Spurr received treatment on the ground. It was felt that it would have

been unwise to move him until special equipment arrived from the Base Hospital. He was then transferred to an ambulance, his neck supported all the time by a brace, and rushed to Palmerston North where it was later ascertained that whilst his neck was broken, Mr Spurr was not paralysed. Brian Spurr is employed

at the Winstone Pulp Mill at Karioi but is obviously not expected to return to work for quite awhile. He will be in plaster for at least three months. Fund-raising efforts by the Ohaleune Club and his team in particular are underway to assist both him and his family until such time as he is able to return to full employment. He has been told that he will make a complete recovery and regain all his former mobility but, on medical advice, has decided to give the game away as he must avoid future contact sports. While the accident was an unfortunate one, particularly amid recent publicity on such injuries, the commonsense steps show.n at Waiouru have obviously saved a young man from serious and perhaps permanent injury. Army Base staff are to be commended for their sensible action and we can only hope and pray that at other local venues the same applies.

Mary Anne

Gili