Former AFL player Rhys Palmer involved in a serious motorcycle accident
The half-sister of former AFL player Rhys Palmer, who suffered life-threatening injuries in a motorcycle accident, says doctors had spoken to the family and “prepared us for the worst”.
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Former AFL player Rhys Palmer continues to fight for his life after a serious motorcycle accident in Perth just 24 hours after a shoe-throwing incident at the city’s biggest trots racecourse.
The 2008 Rising Star winner had emergency surgery to remove his spleen and stop heavy internal bleeding after his motorcycle and a car collided on Saturday night.
He remains in an induced coma and will undergo more surgery today
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Katie Gallin, Palmer’s half-sister, said doctors had spoken to her family and “prepared us for the worst”.
“He made it through the first round of surgery and has got to this morning but even if he survives his physical injuries, there is his brain injury … and how much damage has been done we don’t know yet and if he will ever have quality of life again,” she posted on Facebook.
“Rhys is a beautiful, 30yo boy who has a lot of people who love him and he doesn’t deserve to die today.”
Palmer, 30 — who plays for Swan Districts in the WAFL — was driving a female passenger on the motorcycle when it collided with a car at an intersection in suburban Palmyra.
The female passenger escaped without serious injury.
It came less than 24 hours after Palmer was involved in a racetrack controversy at a Perth harness meeting.
It was reported Palmer had gone to the beach to clear his head after the embarrassing incident at Gloucester Park on Friday where he threw his shoe on to the trotting path in the path of oncoming horses and drivers in which he faces a lifetime ban from all race tracks.
Palmer, who has apologised for the incident, was set to play for Swan Districts in the WAFL this season.
Swan Districts chief executive Jeff Dennis asked the public for Palmer’s privacy to be respected.
“The health and wellbeing of Rhys and his passenger is of utmost importance to the club. “There is no consideration of anything else of at this point in time,” Dennis said.
“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with both of them and their families at this very difficult time”.
Responding to the allegations, Palmer posted a statement on social media at 4pm local time Saturday.
“Firstly, let me be clear, no shoe was deliberately thrown at a horse during any race, and I have the utmost respect for the racing community and all those involved,” the post read.
“It was simply unfortunate timing.
“I was having a light hearted wrestle with a young teammate, oblivious to what was happening around us.
“What transpired was a shoe being thrown which unbeknown to us was unfortunately at the same time the horses had made their way around the course.”
Palmer’s dad Colin said his son was a “tough kid”.
“I spoke to him half hour prior to the accident,” he told 7News Perth.
“He was just down there sort of getting away from everything, enjoying the sunset.”
Swan Districts said Palmer, who was driving the motorcycle, was not to blame for the accident.
Originally published as Former AFL player Rhys Palmer involved in a serious motorcycle accident
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