Rugby league player Corey Harawira-Naera out of hospital after on-field collapse, seizure
SYDNEY (AP) — New Zealand-born rugby league player Corey Harawira-Naera has been released from Sydney’s Westmead Hospital after collapsing during a match Saturday in Australia’s National Rugby League.
The match between the Canberra Raiders and South Sydney was suspended for 10 minutes after the 28-year-old Harawira-Naera suffered a seizure and fell to the ground.
Players from both teams shielded Harawira-Naera as he received medical treatment. He was carried to a waiting ambulance where he was reported to be conscious and responding to questions.
Harawira-Naera left hospital Sunday morning and in a social media post said “I’m doing a lot better now.
“Love to you all for thinking of me and the prayers and that.
“I’m back on the mend. I’m not in the clear yet but we’ll get some more scans and sort it out. Health comes first but obviously hoping to get back on the field soon. Love to you all and I’m very fortunate to have a lot of people concerned about me and thinking about me.”
The Canberra club said it would investigate the cause of the seizure and does not know when Harawira-Naera will be able to play again.
After the match Canberra coach Ricky Stuart said it was a frightening moment for both players and team officials as Harawira-Naera staggered and fell to the ground where he lay convulsing.
“When it’s such a serious thing as a seizure like that, it’s scary,” Stuart said. “And when it’s one of your own you can’t stop thinking of where’s this going because the seizure lasted a good 30 seconds by the look of it.
“All our prayers and thoughts are with him and he’s got great medical attention immediately.”
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