Brumby Shawn Mackay dies in hospital

Farnarkler, blood infections are a fact of life in any hospital including that of the ACT. In fact you are more likely to pick up a seious antibiotic resistant strain of infection in a hospital than out of it. It’s a fact of life now, given that so many of us have gone to doctors demanding antibiotics for minor infections ( including viral for which they have no effect) that would get better on their own. We have created this serious problem of antibiotic resistant bugs for ourselves and then complain when Doctors can’t cure us.

Spam Box it wasn’t the car that killed him, it was a blood infection. Nothing against the particular hospital but had he been in another hospital he may not have got the infection.

How many car accident victims in the ACT survive the accident but die in hospital of a blood infection? I’ll bet not many at all.

+1 CK

R.I.P Shawn

This is really sad, but we all have numbers. Eventually all of ours will come up. Shawn will be remembered for what he achieved in the time that he had. By my reckoning, hed managed a lot more than many. If I was Shawn’s dad, I’d be damn proud of his legacy.

People die in car accidents

{quote]The ACT road toll for 2008 stands at 14, the same number of road deaths as recorded in the ACT in 2007.

http://www.afp.gov.au/media_releases/act/2009/act_road_toll_wrap_up_for_2008

I don’t care about him anymore then I do about the others.

It’s always bad

Condolences to team mates / friends and family.

Mr Evil said :

I hope that as a result of this unfortunate incident, the Brumbies are going to reassess how desirable it is to have their players out clubbing until the wee hours of the morning?

Yes, they should be imprisoned for the whole season, only allowed out to train and play.

Accidents happen everywhere dopey

Mr Evil,
Coach Andy Friend has already stated that this accident could have happened at any time of the day. The boys were out so late as they were celebrating the birthday of a teammate.
Perhaps its a little early to be so judgemental !?

astrojax said :

s’what i said, i-filed – and apologies for the misspelling.

and apologies for picking the wrong thread to make a joke about it.

s’what i said, i-filed – and apologies for the misspelling.

i hope the lads all do decide to play on saturday, for both shawn and for themselves. i’d imagine if it were me, is what i’d want them to do – but it isn’t me, so i shan’t speculate further… godspeed.

Re the “homicide”: Calm down folks! It’s just the usual procedure and a prudent step on the part of the police – given the high-profile person involved, the international angle etc, they of course treat the investigation as a homicide type one, with attendant careful processes and forensics, even if on the face of it, it’s very unlikely.

Let the guy rest FFS

Leave the jumping to conclusions to the people who actually are investigating the matter. Hypothesising about it on this thread is immature, disrespectful and, to be honest, shows how stupid some people are.

Surmising that it all had to do with something that you have no idea about is piffle.

Unless you were standing right next to him at the time of this tragedy you have nothing meaningful to add to the discussion of the whys and wherefores. Just shut up

homocide? he had a girlfriend, didn’t he?

Negligent driving, maybe, but from what I’ve heard, it wasn’t the accident that lead directly to his death.

well, the infection only occured because he needed major trauma surgery and spine fusing, which wouldn’t have been necessary if an armoured car hadn’t hit him… but the investigation is going to start at the glass-half-empty end and work from there, so there’s no guarantee it will end up in a homocide conviction…

If you’re at the game, be nice to the people who work there too. A club isn’t just the players and the fans. There’s a lot of people working behind the scenes who love their club as much as the people in the public eye do, and love their players as much as the public.

Mr Evil said :

I hope that as a result of this unfortunate incident, the Brumbies are going to reassess how desirable it is to have their players out clubbing until the wee hours of the morning?

Mr Evil – he was hit by a car. This could happen anytime, day or night. This isn’t a good time to start throwing mud at the club for what’s really a tangential issue.

The game kicks off at 5:35pm this week, tickets will be $31 if purchased at the gate.

Can I make a suggestion that EVERYONE wears a black armband to the game…I think it would be a nice gesture.

astrojax said :

seems his death is now being treated by durban police as a homocide: http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/articles/2009/04/07/1238869950723.html

That seems a bit harsh. Negligent driving, maybe, but from what I’ve heard, it wasn’t the accident that lead directly to his death. It was an infection. So if the driver is held culpable, surely the hospital and doctor should also be held partly to blame. (And I’m sure everyone tried their best to save his life.)

seems his death is now being treated by durban police as a homocide: http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/articles/2009/04/07/1238869950723.html

condolences to his family and friends – this isn’t going to make it easier. who’d tip against the brumbies on saturday now, then?

a great shame and a loss of an apparently well loved and respected man.

ant said :

I was disappointed to see the ABC coverage had the cameras zooming in to show his team=mates crying in the Canberra terminal. this is goulish, we do not need to see this. Let these guys cry without everyone vulturing on the emotion. Let’s try and be decent.

Was there ever really a chance of the media being decent?

I hope that as a result of this unfortunate incident, the Brumbies are going to reassess how desirable it is to have their players out clubbing until the wee hours of the morning?

RIP Shawn
My deepest condolences and thoughts go out to all involved.
I cant make it to the game on saturday but ill be cheering on from the top end!

Don’t buy tickets at the gate.

The stadium’s ticketek outlet at the gate has had issues this year so people haven’t been able to get in until after kick-off.

I can’t remember how much they are though. It’s been a while since I’ve had to pay to go.

It’s going to be an early game on Saturday afternoon with kick-off at 5.35pm. Get there early.

+100 to comment #37.

I’ve never been to a union game, and I’m not really a supporter per se, but will likely be there this weekend. So, a couple of questions:

What day/time is the match on? What’s the usual charge for ‘regular’ tickets? Can they be purchased at the gate or is it a better idea to pre-purchase?

Thanks in advance. My thoughts are with Shawn’s family, friends and team-mates during such a distressing time.

Surely this weekend’s game should be one where the people of Canberra come out in full force to support the boys….. and put the fear of God into the Stormers.

RIP Shawn.

ant said :

I was disappointed to see the ABC coverage had the cameras zooming in to show his team=mates crying in the Canberra terminal. this is goulish, we do not need to see this. Let these guys cry without everyone vulturing on the emotion. Let’s try and be decent.

I agree ant, it was totally uncalled for. They zoomed in on the young player who was sharing a house with Shawn and Trish, who understandably would have been upset. The team was able to go through Sydney Airport without being accosted by the media but they obviously don’t have the capability at Canberra for that.

I was saddened to hear about Shawn. I met him at the Brumbies players/members day and he was a nice bloke who was very down to earth. My thoughts are with his family, his partner and the Brumbies team and management.

Yes, they should have been left to grieve in privacy.

I’m not a fan either but I was very saddened to hear the news.

Genie said :

Ever so grateful for the Raiders to pay tribute to Shawn tonight at the game.

There was a round of applause from the crowd.

David Furner and Alan Tongue also spoke about it in the post-match press conference. There’s a summary of what they said here.

In short, Mackay was a friend of Raiders prop David Shillington, David Furner sent Andy Friend a text message expressing his condolences, the Raiders players talked about it before the game and used it as motivation.

I was disappointed to see the ABC coverage had the cameras zooming in to show his team=mates crying in the Canberra terminal. this is goulish, we do not need to see this. Let these guys cry without everyone vulturing on the emotion. Let’s try and be decent.

Ever so grateful for the Raiders to pay tribute to Shawn tonight at the game.

There was a round of applause from the crowd.

What a shock his death was today. I thought he’d have the rest of the season off and come back bigger and better next year.

RIP and I hope the Brumbies, after a minutes silence, give it to the Stormers.

If it transcends then why mention it? Its not about you

RIP to a good footballer who died in tragic circumstances. That’s all that needs to be said

I dislike the Brumbies – with a passion. Some things however transcend petty grudges.

I echo Johnboy’s sentiments. Give the Stormers hell Brumbies, tear them a new one – for Shaun.

Rest in peace Shawn.

tragic tragic loss, condolences to the family. terrible to think what they have been going through this past week.
R I P

RIP Shawn – condolences to his family and the team

I did not know Shawn, nor am I a massive union fan. But this is terrible and I feel dreadfully sorry for his family, friends, teammates and fans.

I doubt my words would be in any way comforting to Shawn’s loved ones, but I know there would not be one person on RA tonight that would not be deeply saddened for your loss. May he rest in peace.

+1, Granny.

A well respected young man indeed – condolences to all in Shawn’s world at this very difficult time.

Oh how awful!

Condolences to his family, friends and team mates. Cannot imagine getting off the plane to this news :(.

RIP

Fox Sports News have just shown Andy Friend addressing the media upon arrival at Sydney airport, needless to say he was emotional. The ARU had requested the other 3 Australian Super 14 teams and the Australian Womens 7’s team, whom Shawn coached last year, to not text the players until they had been officially notified.

How rotten, awful news. I found out because an email arrived from the Facebook group, that they’d re-named the group.

Very shocking, he seemed to be on the way up. What a terrible end to the long strain the man’s family has been under.

misspris said :

UPDATE: Apparently the players are on the flight home and while the coach, Andy Friend, has been informed they’re going to delay breaking the news to the players until they’re back on the ground.

So that they can be met by on onslaugh of journos? Poor buggers, I think I’d prefer to know earlier rather than later if that was me.

There are pretty good systems in place at big airports to have people taken to briefing rooms before they exit. I am sure the management is all over this and will deal with it in an appropriate way.

I’m not a big fan of footy but I’d like to express my condolences to his family, friends and fans. No parent should have to bury their child, no matter the age, and my heart goes out to his parents, grandparents and siblings.

I really hope the media don’t bombard the boys at the airport and they find out that way, its been a horror 3 weeks enough for the boys.

As a friend of Shawny’s partner, it was devastating enough to hear it over the radio – I hope the media can respect the tragedy of the news and leave them alone.

Me too. I’ll be annoyed if they’re besieged on arrival, when the media are clearly aware that they haven’t been told yet.

UPDATE: Apparently the players are on the flight home and while the coach, Andy Friend, has been informed they’re going to delay breaking the news to the players until they’re back on the ground.

So that they can be met by on onslaugh of journos? Poor buggers, I think I’d prefer to know earlier rather than later if that was me.

How awful for his family, friends and team mates. A promising life cut far too short.

I just heard this on NewsRadio too. Very sad news. 🙁

Here’s to a big win for the Brumbies this weekend.

RIP

Ah that is terrible news. Thoughts and well wishes to his family, friends and the club

johnboy said :

show must go on Steve.

Black armbands, a minute’s silence, and a thumping victory is far more appropriate.

Agreed but it’ll be very tough on the players.

Very sad. Condolences to his family and friends.

That’s awful news, but cancelling the game is the silliest thing I’ve heard since Anthony Mundine last opened his pie-hole.

I played against Shawn in a few sevens tournaments and he was quite a handful. Anything less than an armoured-vehicle and he probably would have dusted himself off and gone back to the pub!

Condolences.

I think it’s a small mercy that he got to spend some time with his mum and dad before he died. I think that will be precious to them in the time to come. I feel so bad for anyone that has to bury a child.

It is so cruel, especially when the news had been so encouraging.

My sympathies to all who knew and loved him. My thoughts are also with his team at this difficult time.

For those who remain behind life goes on. A good show by the Brumbies at this weekend game would be a fitting way to mark Shawns death.

Damn, damn sad day sad for the Brumbies and Canberra.

I’m with JB, wear a black armband, show respect, and then smash the Stormers all over the place in memory of Shawn.

Condolences to his family and his teammates. That’s just shocking beyond words.

The show must go on Steve.

Black armbands, a minute’s silence, and a thumping victory is far more appropriate.

+1

Absolute tragedy.

Devastating news for all involved.
This weeks game against the Stormers should not be played as a mark of respect.

Condolences to all those who knew and loved him.