Source : ABC NEWS
The family of former Adelaide Crows icon Tony Modra has released a statement thanking the community for the “overwhelming show of love” they have received since he was seriously injured in a truck crash last week.
Modra’s wife Erica and the Modra family said they were “extremely grateful” to the “many people” who had reached out, including friends, extended family, the AFL community around the country and the broader public.
“While it’s not possible for us to get back to everyone individually right now, we are reading these messages and want you to know it means so much,”
the statement said.
“Our children, Hayley and Luke, have told their Dad how Crows fans showed their support during Saturday’s game, and he was overcome with emotion and gratitude.”
Modra was seriously injured in a crash on Thursday afternoon, when the truck he was driving hit a tree about 5:15pm at Back Valley, near Victor Harbor on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula.
Tony Modra was injured in a truck crash near Victor Harbor on Thursday. (Supplied: SA Police)
The statement confirms that since the crash, Modra has “twice undergone surgery” and “has made encouraging progress”.
“However, we are still working through the extent of his injuries and, as a family, we are in a very challenging period,”
the statement said.
“There’s a long road ahead.”
The family described the crash as “a freak accident”.
“We are extremely grateful to the three passers-by — including two people who were trained in first aid and another who provided comfort — who stopped to help within seconds,” the statement said.
“The emergency services’ professionalism, care and swift action were extraordinary as well.
“Without doubt, they all played a critical role in saving Anthony’s life.”
‘Could not ask for better expertise and care’
The statement also acknowledged the role of their son Luke “whose calmness and quick thinking helped coordinate an immediate response from emergency services, as well as Hayley who was first to the hospital”.
“To all of the staff, specialists and surgeons at the Southern Fleurieu Health Service at Victor Harbor and Flinders Medical Centre, we could not ask for better expertise and care.”
Modra played a total of 165 AFL games for the Adelaide Crows and Fremantle Dockers.
He debuted for Adelaide in 1992, and was the club’s leading goal kicker for five straight seasons, winning the league’s Coleman medal in 1997.
Tony Modra debuted for the Adelaide Crows in 1992. (ABC News: Rachel Forbes)
It was in the same year he seriously injured a knee in the preliminary final and missed the club’s historic first AFL premiership.
On Friday, current Crows coach Matthew Nicks said the club would be there for one another during this “tough time” and described Modra as part of the Crows family.
On Saturday, Crows fans erupted in applause at the sixth minute of the match to wish Modra, who wore the number 6, well in his recovery from the crash.
The match against the Demons was the first chance for many fans to pay tribute to one of the first superstar players from the 1990s.
The family concluded the statement by requesting privacy to allow them to focus on Modra’s “care and recovery” and said future updates would be provided via the Adelaide Football Club.
