Welp, Dan Andrews Has A Fractured Back And Might Wind Up Needing Spinal Surgery

The extent of the injuries suffered by Victorian Premier Dan Andrews in a nasty fall yesterday continues to emerge, with reports this afternoon asserting that not only does he have a fractured back, but that a decision on whether or not he will require spinal surgery is imminent.

Yesterday, the 48-year-old Premier was transported to hospital after slipping on wet stairs at a holiday home on the Mornington Peninsula. Initially, reports stated that the Premier had suffered several broken ribs and some undisclosed vertebrae damage. However since then, reports assert that the injuries are much worse.

Per the ABC, Andrews has suffered a fracture of the T7 vertebrae in his mid-back, and a decision on whether or not he will require spinal surgery to fix it is expected to be made today.

Andrews was yesterday transferred from a Frankston-area hospital to The Alfred and placed in the hospital’s specialist trauma centre; a not-uncommon move in the case of multiple rib fractures, which can often conceal further damage to the lungs. Intensive care teams can also help manage a rib patient’s pain levels, as the injury is often characterised by extreme discomfort.

The Victorian Government is due to give an update on Dan Andrews’ condition soon, however it’s now expected that the injuries will require weeks of recuperation before the Premier can return to active work.

In the meantime, Deputy Premier James Merlino will act as the Acting Premier of Victoria until Andrews returns to work.

Andrews has not provided any updates directly through his social media channels, beyond those posted yesterday as he was being initially assessed. At that point, he stated that “medical advice has recommended I remain in intensive care for the next few days,” and that “Cath, the kids and I are extremely grateful to the Ambulance Victoria paramedics who showed such care and kindness to our family this morning, as we are to the clinicians who have taken care of me today.”

The ABC reports that Government sources have confirmed Andrews is in “good spirits” albeit while being more than a bit bloody sore, as you’d imagine.

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