Airlifted player allowed home
THANKFUL family and friends are grateful to have Yarrabah Seahawk Septimus Ambrym home after the fleetfooted halfback suffered a suspected heart attack during a match against Innisfail at the weekend.
Ambrym, a former Lionel Williamson medallist in the CDRL competition, was released from Cairns hospital yesterday morning after being airlifted from Innisfail on Saturday afternoon.
The 32-year-old was playing in Yarrabah’s 40-22 B Grade win over Leprechauns at Callendar Park when he started suffering chest pains.
Considered one of the fittest players in the team, Seahawks president Sam Bann Sr said he was shocked to see the premiership player in discomfort.
“He just runs all over the field like there’s nothing there; he’s pretty fit,” Bann said.
“It was a surprise to everyone. He was playing an excellent game but in the last 10 minutes he pulled up and said he didn’t feel too good.
“He was everywhere on the field. We thought it was a sternum injury because he kept pressing on his chest.”
Innisfail coach Leon Hallie said the slightly built playmaker was a rare talent.
“He’s an outstanding player. He’s the type of player who can do anything from anywhere. He can wreck your defensive line. You just hope he’s OK,” Hallie said.
“Our game was about to start when the Yarrabah train- er asked me if someone had called the ambulance.
“He was laying on the ground and in a fair bit of pain.”
CDRL secretary Pat Bailey said she is relieved to hear Ambrym was released from hospital.
“When I heard that a helicopter was involved I was panicking,” Bailey said. “We’re pretty happy he is OK.
The Seahawks trained at Jilara Oval last with players still emotional following the on-field incident.
Bann Sr said he hoped to see Ambrym soon and pass on his well wishes.
“He’s OK. I don’t think he’ll be playing again this year, but that is up to the doctors,” he said.
HE WAS EVERYWHERE ON THE FIELD. WE THOUGHT IT WAS A STERNUM INJURY BECAUSE HE KEPT PRESSING ON HIS CHEST. SAM BANN SR