Beloved Warwick dad, rugby identity Adrian ‘Pumba’ Black fights for life after highway crash

A well-known Warwick rugby player and loving father is fighting for his life after a horrific accident on the Cunningham Hwy. His wife, club players and others have spoken about their devastation.

Well-known and much-loved Warwick Water Rats player and Bunnings worker Adrian Black has been left fighting for his life after a horrific car accident on the Cunningham Hwy.

Mr Black‘s wife Verushka said her family was devastated by the accident, which happened while Mr Black was travelling to a work training session on Wednesday morning.

She has been travelling back and forth to Brisbane since the crash to be by her husband‘s side at Princess Alexandra Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

Mrs Black said if family or friends ever had a problem, they knew they could go to her husband to help them out.

“I’ve never heard a bad word about him, he’s the one most people would call if they needed anything from his work, or in general,” Mrs Black said.

“He had an incredible relationship with his kids and his family.“

Mrs Black said she was grateful for the way the community had rallied for her family.

“(The rugby club‘s players) have been fantastic. They’ve offered to drive me to Brisbane to be with Adrian and even just offered to sit with me and keep me company.’’

Adrian (pictured front right) with the Water Rats around 2000. Picture: Contributed

Mr Black moved to Warwick in the 1990s and attended high school at Scots PGC College.

The club said its members were in shock about what had happened to the man they affectionately know as “Pumba”, a passionate supporter and player for more than 20 years.

Club supporters took to social media to express their sadness about the well-liked forward.

“We love you Pumba, sending all our healing thoughts to you,” supporter Jeanette Ole posted.

Fellow resident Kathy Moses also shared her support, writing “Thinking of you all and sending healing thoughts”.

Kerry Brett wrote, “Get well soon mate, we are thinking of you.”

The statement from the Water Rats club that the Black family was “ … in our prayers and we look forward to having a beer on the sidelines soon”.