West Adelaide officials abandoned flight home to stay in Port Lincoln before league player Sam May was found seriously injured

West Adelaide footy club has shed new light on what led to the discovery of seriously injured footballer Sam May, amid fears he could have been lying grievously hurt for hours.

West Adelaide footballer Sam May remains in hospital after apparently falling through the roof of the Pier Hotel at Port Lincoln.

• Sam suffered ‘life-altering injuries’

The West Adelaide Football Club has shed new light on the moments leading up to the discovery of a seriously injured footballer Sam May at a Port Lincoln hotel on the weekend.

The West Adelaide league player sustained “life-altering injuries” and remains in the ICU following the team’s SANFL game against Norwood at Port Lincoln on Saturday.

The incident occurred at Port Lincoln’s Pier Hotel where the footballer is believed to have fallen through the roof.

With mystery surrounding his whereabouts over an extended period, there are fears he could have been lying grievously wounded for hours after the fall.

West Adelaide’s Sam May. Picture: Sarah Reed

Police were not called to help Sam May until after 9am.

It is unclear when May was last spotted following West Adelaide’s 13-point loss on Saturday night but police and ambulance crews were only called to attend to the seriously injured footballer at 9.17am on Sunday.

West Adelaide players and entourage were staying at the Port Lincoln Hotel, about 200 metres from where May was found.

The club’s head of football and talent, Paul Streatfield – who was travelling with the team – said players and officials first became aware May was missing when he failed to show up to the team breakfast.`

“Breakfast was available for the players and officials from 7-8:30am. We were aware that Sam hadn’t attended that, and at 8:30am when Sam didn’t arrive for the team bus to go to the airport, we immediately attempted to contact him,” he said.

A hole in a skylight on the roof of the Pier Hotel in Port Lincoln, where it’s believed West Adelaide footballer Sam May fell through the roof. Picture: 7NEWS Adelaide

A hole in a skylight on the roof of the Pier Hotel in Port Lincoln. West Adelaide footballer Sam May was injured after possibly falling through the roof. Picture: 7NEWS Adelaide

“When this wasn’t possible, I called the police station and hospital to inquire if anything had been reported overnight, of which it hadn’t at that stage.

Mr Streatfield said he made the decision to stay in Port Lincoln with other West Adelaide officials as they “attempted to locate Sam”.

“A short time later I received a phone call from the police advising he’d been found, and we arrived immediately to assist in any way possible,” he said.

Mr Streatfield paid tribute to the efforts of the emergency service personnel who attend to May.

“Everyone involved with the care of Sam was fantastic and I can’t thank them enough for their efforts,” he said.

West Adelaide Football Club chief executive Conny Wilson confirmed May was still in the ICU at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

She said the club would continue to support May, his family and the club’s players.

“The players have got support around them in terms of psychologists and other professional assistance,” she said.

SafeWork SA is investigating to “determine if there are any factors associated with work health and safety obligations”.