South Sydney Rabbitohs players Dylan Walker and Aaron Gray remain in a sedated, but stabel, state in the Intensive Care Unit of Sydney’s St. Vincent’s Hospital, following an incident early this morning that saw the pair rushed to hospital after an alleged incident involving prescription painkillers.
The pair was taken to hospital by ambulance in a serious condition after being found at around 3:45am this morning, allegedly suffering from drug-related complications.
Rabbitohs CEO John Lee fronted media outside the hospital a short while ago to give an update on the players’ condition, which he said was – whilst still serious – improving.
“Our primary concern is for the two players concerned, but also for their parents. This is quite a difficult time for both the players and their family.”“Following this season and the playoff game [a losing effort this past weekend against Cronulla] both players were involved in post-season surgery. Surgeons prescribed painkilling medication, and the players were taking that.”“Last night Dylan [Walker] came round to [Aaron Gray’s] place.”“[It is understood that] they had actually taken more than the regulated amount of prescribed medication.”“The consequence of that was that early in the morning, a third person in the house noted side effects including vomiting, and other side effects.”“Both were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. They are currently there with their family members.”“There has been improvement in both of the players’ states. They were sedated – heavily sedated – for some time. Both players [are now] showing signs of awakedness. We think that will improve more in the coming hours.”“[Walker and Gray are] not in a state where they’re communicating fully. The players are on the improve. Their vital signs are clearly on the up.”
Lee stopped short of labelling the incident an overdose, and refused to name the painkillers involved – which were reportedly Oxycodone (a powerful analgesic often referred to as “Hillbilly Heroin“) and Tramadol (an opioid).
He also refused to confirm whether or not the players will make a full recovery from the incident, repeatedly insisting that it was “very early times.” He did, however, note that he had just come from seeing the players, and that they were “very knocked around.”
Curiously, a passerby at the press conference interrupted proceedings by shouting about a lack of care for heterosexuals with HIV and AIDS, at one point yelling “YOU GOTTA BE GAY TO GET HELP.“
Police have been on the scene of the Rosebery house that the pair was found at, investigating the cause of the incident. The NRL Integrity Unit has also been alerted and is investigating.
Photo via Instagram.
