Footy tribute to husband who gave his life during Mt Everest climb
TRAPPED under snow after an Everest avalanche, Wendy Higgins was certain her life was over. But husband Dean sacrificed everything to save her.
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TRAPPED under a wall of snow after a freak Everest avalanche, Wendy Higgins was certain her life was over.
But her husband Dean refused to let his beloved fall victim to the Himalayan elements after tonnes of snow crashed down on their campsite last October.
In honour of Mr Higgins’ heroism sacrificing himself to save his wife, the most courageous player in Monday’s Queen’s Birthday clash between Glenelg and North Adelaide will be awarded the inaugural Dean Higgins Medal.
“It was early in the morning, it was still dark when the avalanche hit,” Mrs Higgins, of Glenelg, said this week.
“We basically suffocated because we didn’t have any air.
“Then all of a sudden he ripped the tent open – he could see light coming through so he got air in to us.
“I remember my last three breaths, I remember peacefully dying and then I remember breathing again.”
Lying on his back, wearing just a T-shirt, Mr Higgins, 60, dug with his bare hands for about six hours to free them and two others, before succumbing to hypothermia.
“He never gave up getting us out and unfortunately he just got too cold and died on the way down (the mountain),” Mrs Higgins, 58, said.
“He never complained, just did what he had to do to get us both out and unfortunately he didn’t make it.”
Mr and Mrs Higgins were long-time sponsors of the Bays through their Mortgage Choice franchise, but Mr Higgins was a devout Roosters man.
Growing up in Whyalla, the exploits of fellow Whyalla product and North legend Barrie Robran inspired his love of the club.
“He was about six years younger than Barrie and when Barrie went to North Adelaide he followed North,” Mrs Higgins said.
“He admired Barrie so much, he thought he was the best footballer ever.
“Even though we sponsored Glenelg he always followed North and was a member of North.”
Mrs Higgins is proud her husband will be recognised through the medal, which Robran will help judge.
She will be cheering on the Bays on Monday, but will not mind if the Roosters get up.
“If North win, it’ll be for Dean,” she said.
Daughter Sara, 25, who will also be backing the Tigers, says the medal is special.
Monday’s game will be played for the John Sandland Memorial Cup for the second time.
The perennial trophy honours Sandland, who represented both clubs and kicked the final goal in the Bays’ 1973 Grand Final win over the Roosters.
Bays chief executive Steve Moore said Mr Higgins and Sandland played huge roles in the club.
“It’s crucial we continue to honour people such as John and Dean wherever we can,” Mr Moore said.
Last year’s game drew about 4400 spectators and Mr Moore hopes for a similar turnout.
North Adelaide chief executive Greg Edwards said the medal was a perfect fit.
“People like Dean are the fabric of football clubs,” Mr Edwards says.
“The manner in which Dean passed away gave name to the most courageous player.”
Glenelg takes on North Adelaide at Glenelg Oval, on Monday, June 9, from 2.10pm.
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