Rabbitohs duo Dylan Walker and Aaron Gray rushed to hospital

THE suspected overdose of Dylan Walker and Aaron Gray could have turned tragic after paramedics found one of the players not breathing when they arrived.

POLICE are investigating South Sydney duo Dylan Walker and Aaron Gray after they collapsed early on Tuesday in a suspected double prescription drug overdose.

The Rabbitohs players were recovering in the intensive care unit of St Vincent’s Hospital on Tuesday night, having regained consciousness after being placed into induced comas.

The childhood best mates were fortunate things didn’t turn tragic after paramedics found one of them not breathing when they arrived at Gray’s Rosebery house about 3.45am on Tuesday.

South Sydney chief executive John Lee insisted the pair had taken too much painkiller medication — prescribed to them by their specialists following recent bouts of surgery.

The Daily Telegraph understands police found empty cans of energy drinks at the residence and that detectives will examine how both players suffered drug overdoses at the same time.

It’s believed that once the pair have recovered, that the Rabbitohs will offer the players structured ongoing support.

I’ve seen both the players upstairs and they’re pretty knocked around (and) at this stage they’re not in a state where they can communicate

John Lee

Walker, 20, and Gray, 21, were with two friends — who are not first grade teammates — when they suffered an adverse reaction at about 3.45am on Tuesday.

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One of the friends called emergency services and paramedics rushed to the scene. When they found the pair, Walker was in a pool of his own vomit and at least one of them was not breathing. They were driven to St Vincent’s hospital.

Police were not called at the time.

Walker and Gray were officially listed as being in a stable condition on Tuesday.

Aaron Gray and Dylan Walker pictured having dinner with friends just hours before being rushed to St Vincent's Hospital. Picture: Instagram

At the time the pair became ill they were in a granny flat at the rear of Gray’s family home in Rosebery and watching movies, a relative said.

Neighbours said they did not hear any loud music or signs of partying.

Aaron Gray’s father Brian, who owns the home, left late Tuesday morning to be by his son’s bedside. He was told his son and Walker were in critical conditions when they left the home and his son was in an induced coma at the hospital when he arrived.

The issue also hit the Roosters hard because Brian Gray has worked for the club for more than a decade.

Police visited the family home on Tuesday to talk with witnesses.

Lee told a packed press conference that his players had taken too much of their prescribed medications.

Lee said he was still trying to ascertain the exact nature of the painkilling medications that the players took.

They were prescribed a level of medication — not taken for fun — taken for pain

John Lee

He said the medications were not prescribed by the club doctor but instead a specialist, adding that he was “pretty sure” the players were not drinking when the incident occurred.

He said the drugs were used not for fun but to treat pain.

“It will become clear that they had actually taken more than the regulated amount of prescribed medication,” he said.

Rabbitohs player Dylan Walker and teammate Aaron Gray have been taken to hospital. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“The consequence of that was that early in the morning a third person who was at the house noticed that there were side effects including vomiting and other side effects which lead for him to alert an ambulance.

“It was called to the house and the players were transferred here to St Vincent’s hospital.”

“In think the term that was used by the intensive care staff or the medical staff was that they were sedated,” he said.

“They were sedated for some time for medical reasons.”

Dylan Walker Instagram image, with Aaron Gray, from five months ago. Picture: Instagram

Aaron Gray pictured in hospital four days prior to being rushed to St Vincent's with Dylan Walker. Picture: Instagram

It is understood Walker and Gray were taking Targin — a brand of Oxycodone — as part of their recuperation from surgery.

Late on Tuesday the two were showing signs of improvement but remained in intensive care.

Walker has represented Australia, while Aaron Gray played a handful of games for the Rabbitohs in his debut season this year.

Walker underwent hand surgery while Gray underwent a knee operation following the end of the Rabbitohs’ finals campaign last week.

Originally published as Rabbitohs duo Dylan Walker and Aaron Gray rushed to hospital