Shawn Mackay passes away

ixus

Shawn Mackay passes away

Brumbies lock Shawn Mackay has died in hospital in Durban. Mackay was seriously injured in a road accident in Durban last Sunday morning.

Brumbies Rugby CEO Andrew Fagan says while Mackay had shown positive signs of recovery from his injuries, a subsequent blood infection has claimed his life.

"Shawn contracted an infection of his bloodstream after his surgery. He deteriorated rapidly, and suffered a cardiac arrest from which he didn't recover," said Fagan.

"This is devestating news for his family and for all of us in the Brumbies community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time."

Mackay had been admitted to St Augustine's hospital in Durban with a cervical spinal fracture and dislocation, a fractured skull as well as a broken leg and multiple facial fractures after being struck by the vehicle.

The incident occurred about 4.15am Durban time when Mackay and a number of other Brumbies were leaving a nightclub, having wound down after their Super 14 loss to the Sharks the previous evening.

Mackay's parents, John and Leonie, and girlfriend Trish flew to South Africa on Tuesday to be by his side.

Waratahs' Chief Executive Officer Jim L'Estrange said the news has shocked the Rugby community.

"The thoughts of NSW Rugby and the Waratahs are with Shawn's family, friends and teammates at this extremely sad time," said L'Estrange.

"Most of the squad, as well as many team staff have been associated with Shawn in school, club and state teams, as well as at international levels in age teams and Sevens.

"Shawn was highly respected both on and off the field and will be missed by the entire Rugby community."

Australian Rugby Union Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer John O'Neill said the thoughts and prayers of the Australian Rugby Community are with Shawn's family.

"Shawn was a wonderful young man, a credit to the game of Rugby, and much loved by all who knew him," said O'Neill.

"We were all hoping after the terrible events of last week that he would recover from what were horrific injuries.

"He had a fighting spirit that inspired those around him.

"As captain of the Australian Sevens team, his leadership qualities were evident to anyone who came into contact with that team.

"Last year he also took on the coaching of the Australian Women's Sevens team and guided them to the Oceania title which qualified the side for the IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens. The girls, after winning the World Cup, paid tribute to the role Shawn had played in their quest.

"This news today has shocked not only the Rugby world but the entire sporting fraternity given the friends Shawn had across the various codes."

A former pupil at Waverley College in Sydney, Mackay made his state debut for the Waratahs in the 2006 Australian Provincial Championship against the Brumbies, going on to earn six NSW caps.

He played other APC matches against the Queensland Reds and Western Force before being selected on the Waratahs' tour of the UK and Ireland later in the year. On this tour Mackay played against Saracens A, Northampton Wanderers and Leinster A.

Mackay was best known for his Sevens career which began in 2004 when he switched back to Rugby after five years with the Sydney Roosters, the same rugby league team his father John played for. He quickly linked with Randwick where he played his club Rugby.

In 2005 Mackay was named captain of the Australian Sevens team, going on to skipper the team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne where the team finished fourth.

In 2007 Mackay played with the Melbourne Rebels who were runners-up in the Australian Rugby Championship, before signing with the Brumbies last July. Mackay went on to make his Super Rugby debut against the Lions in Johannesburg on 21 March.

He was also tributed by his club, Randwick in Sydney

"It is with tremendous sadness that the members of Randwick District Rugby Union Football Club learnt earlier today of the death of Shawn MacKay, as a result of injuries sustained in a traffic accident in South Africa," said Ian North, Randwick DRUFC President.

"Shawn was a very popular figure at Randwick Rugby, having played with Clovelly Juniors since about six years of age, and going on to play first grade.

"Shawn will be very sadly missed by all who knew him at Randwick, our deepest condolences are extended to the Mackay family, in particular his younger brother Matt, who plays for Randwick's first grade Colts team."

Brumbies coach Andy Friend was contacted and told of Mackay's death while in the air and assembled his players to break the news to them when they arrived home from their South African tour in Sydney.

Friend emerged briefly and alone from immigration to speak to the waiting media.

"It is the worst possible news,'' Friend said.

"It's fair to say that we are all in shock and we have taken the news very, very hard. When we left South Africa we all hoped that Macca would recover quickly and would be joining us home in a matter of weeks.

"To hear that the blood infection has led to a cardiac arrest and has taken his life is very hard for us to reconcile.

"Shawn Mackay was an outstanding person. When we recruited Macca to the Brumbies we did so for his character as much as for his outstanding rugby skills.

"He was generous, he was warm, he was funny and an enthusiastic player. He had the respect of everybody at the Brumbies and everybody in Australian rugby. His passing is a tragedy.

"On behalf of the Brumbies I would like to say to Shawn's family and his partner Trish, we share your loss and our love and our prayers are with you as we seek to come to terms with his passing.

The playing group in Canberra that didn't travel to South Africa were informed of Mackay's death around noon local time.

Fagan said Mackay picked up an infection a couple of days ago which was being treated with antibiotics.

Fagan wasn't sure how the team would cope with having to front up against the Stormers in Canberra on Saturday.

"I'm not sure at the moment how we're going to deal with that as a playing group,'' he said.

"But they were able to rally for the game against the Cheetahs (last) weekend, with news that was difficult for them in dealing with Shawn's injuries in hospital.

"I expect they'll try and do their best again this weekend.''

Noopti

Very sad news, especially seeing as it was looking more positive for him after they woke him up. My condolences to his family and friends.

sock puppet

Noopti wrote: »

Very sad news, especially seeing as it was looking more positive for him after they woke him up. My condolences to his family and friends.

Yeah I thought he was improving. RIP

thomond2006

Terrible news, especially as things were looking positive. :(

Stev_o

Terrible tragedy and my condolences go out to his family.

handsomecake

absolutely terrible news.
well at least he got to play rugby at a very high level and his family and friends are proud of him im sure

rest in peace

RitaM

Very tragic. A young fit and healthy man with a very exciting rugby career.

Condolences to his family and friends, must be a horrible time for them all.