Maroons utility Moses Mbye goes into anaphylactic shock in hotel

A near-death experience was frightening enough. But Moses Mbye reckons the worst thing about almost dying barely 48 hours before State of Origin II in Perth is not knowing the cause.

QUEENSLAND rugby league star Moses Mbye has spoken of his horrifying brush with death after a hotel-room collapse that has rocked the Queensland team ahead of Origin II.

The Sunday Mail can reveal Queensland team doctor Matt Hislop has saved Mbye’s life after the utility went into anaphylactic shock on Friday morning in a terrifying ordeal that has stunned the close-knit Maroons team.

Without the quick thinking of one of Australia’s leading sports medicos, Mbye has been told he would be dead.

The near-fatality represents one of the most distressing incidents in State of Origin’s 39-year history.

Moses Mbye was found slumped outside his hotel room. Picture: Adam Head

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening, severe allergic reaction, usually to foods or insects, that can cause death within 15 minutes.

Incredibly, Mbye has told Queensland coach Kevin Walters he will play in Origin II – just 48 hours after fearing he would die.

“The doc potentially saved my life,” Mbye said in his only interview.

“I’m not quite sure how far it could have gone ... but he potentially saved it, yes.”

Queensland hierarchy have confirmed to The Sunday Mail that they have filed a Critical Incident Report with senior management at their team hotel.

Mbye’s mysterious collapse occurred around 10.30am on Friday morning during Queensland’s day off.

Dr Matt Hislop (far left) saved Moses Mbye’s life. Picture: Adam Head

Hislop found Mbye slumped on the floor unconscious outside his hotel-room door after the 25-year-old father-of-three made an emergency call to him, only to pass out within seconds.

Carrying a first-aid kit, Hislop immediately used an EpiPen, an anti-allergy injection device containing a man-made version of adrenaline to revive the stricken Mbye.

The Queensland rookie understands he had only a few minutes left to live after his airways closed over when Hislop arrived on the scene to treat him.

Hislop was staying on the same floor as Mbye and raced to his aid, giving him an injection of epinephrine to his upper leg to save his life.

Despite his near death experience, Moses Mbye trained today and is adament he will play Sunday night. Picture: Adam Head

The Noosa Pirates junior will undergo tests after Origin II when he returns home to Sydney as Queensland doctors attempt to explain his sudden collapse.

Mbye was at a loss to explain his sudden collapse, telling The Sunday Mail he suffers no allergies and has never before suffered anaphylactic shock from any allergy-related incidents.

“I’m not quite sure what happened,” Mbye said.

“I had an allergic reaction to something. I haven’t pinpointed yet what it is.

“I have to do some tests when I get back to Sydney but it wasn’t the most comfortable of situations.

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“I’m not sure what triggered it. I have never had an allergic reaction before, ever. In 25 years this has never happened to me.”

Despite feeling weak for most of Friday, Mbye trained with his Queensland teammates at Saturday’s captain’s run and is adamant he will play his second Origin game before a sellout crowd of 60,000 at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

“I’ve made a full recovery,” said Mbye, who made his Queensland debut in Origin I a fortnight ago.

“The doc monitored me yesterday and checked all the vital signs.

“He treated it right and I’ve pulled up sweet. I trained at the captain’s run so I’m ready to go.”