New details have emerged about the horrific injuries suffered by AFL great Tony Modra after his cattle truck crashed into a tree in South Australia, with friends revealing the football icon is now expected to make a full recovery.
The Adelaide Crows legend, 57, remains in intensive care at Flinders Medical Centre after the crash at Back Valley on the Fleurieu Peninsula on Thursday afternoon.
While fears for his life initially gripped the football world, there was welcome news on Friday night when it was revealed Modra had made significant progress and was no longer facing a life-threatening situation.
Speaking on Kayo Sports, veteran AFL journalist Jon Ralph revealed the former Coleman Medallist had undergone surgery for serious facial injuries.
‘I can give you the very latest news, and it is overwhelmingly positive. This is no longer a threat of life or death,’ Ralph said.
‘After grave fears for his life, he has taken significant steps forward in the last 12 hours. That means those close to him believe he is out of the woods.
Tony Modra remains in intensive care after suffering serious facial injuries in a horror truck crash on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula
New details have emerged about the AFL great’s injuries, with Modra undergoing surgery on his cheek, jaw and eye socket
‘He’s still in ICU, but he is stable.
‘He’s had surgery today on his cheek, jaw and eye socket. But those injuries are no longer life threatening.
‘He’s going to emerge with some battle scars, he will be in hospital for the foreseeable future. But Tony Modra lives to fight another day.
‘That is fantastic news for the entire AFL community.’
The extent of Modra’s injuries became clearer as eyewitnesses described the chaotic moments immediately after the crash.
Local resident Linda Cameron was the first person to stop and help after coming across the wreckage.
The 78-year-old said she initially did not recognise the former AFL superstar as she rushed to assist him.
‘I was talking to him and he wasn’t responding and he just obviously wanted to lie down,’ Cameron told ABC News.
Doctors are optimistic about Modra’s recovery after reports he is no longer facing a life-threatening situation
She ran back to her car to retrieve tissues and blankets before returning to help stem heavy bleeding from a wound to his head.
‘I remembered I had a box of tissues in the car and they were nearly full and so I grabbed them and ran back again and took a big wad out and placed them on the wound,’ she said.
‘I said, ‘Hold on to that, push on to that and keep it there’ and I could see that it was helping to stem the loss of blood.’
Cameron said she remained by Modra’s side, holding his hand until emergency crews arrived.
‘Occasionally, I felt he was losing his grip and I was frightened, so I asked him what his name was and he said ‘Tony’ and I said ‘my name’s Linda and I’m going to stay with you’,’ she said.
‘I’m just so glad I was there to help him.’
Modra’s wife Erica paid tribute to the people who came to her husband’s aid, thanking the first responders she believes saved his life.
The message was read by former teammate and close friend Mark Ricciuto on Triple M Adelaide.
The former Adelaide and Fremantle star was airlifted to Flinders Medical Centre following Thursday’s crash
‘She just wants to say a very big thankyou to the first responders … who saved his life and helped talk through to Erica while things were going down,’ Ricciuto said.
Ricciuto later revealed Erica was optimistic despite the severity of the injuries.
‘She said he’s going all right. It’s pretty amazing that he’s got through it,’ he said.
‘She said to me before he’s not going to be the same good looking Tony Modra. He’s going to have some scars.’
The crash has prompted an outpouring of support from across Australian football, with Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks, Port Adelaide coach Josh Carr, Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir and South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas all sending their best wishes.
Modra remains one of the most beloved figures in AFL history after kicking 588 goals across 165 games with Adelaide and Fremantle.
A three-time Mark of the Year winner and the 1997 Coleman Medallist, he became famous for his spectacular high-flying marks and earned cult hero status in South Australia, where he was affectionately known as ‘Godra’.
