I landed flat on my back: Andrews out of hospital, off for at least six weeks

Off for six weeks, Victorian Premier reveals how close he came to ‘life-changing injury’ with five broken ribs and fractured vertebra.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has left hospital, but faces a long recovery. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Daniel Pockett

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews revealed he narrowly avoided permanent damage to his spinal cord after landing “flat on his back” as he confirmed he would be out of action for at least another six weeks.

Following what he called a long, painful and difficult week, Mr Andrews said he had fallen on wooden steps when holidaying with his family last weekend in the Mornington Peninsula. “As you know, at around 6.30am last Tuesday, I fell heavily on wooden steps at the front of a rental beach house that our family had been staying at for the long weekend,” he said.

“I landed flat on my back and hit the steps hard directly below the shoulder blades, fracturing at least five ribs and sustaining an acute compression fracture of the T7 vertebra.”

Daniel Andrews tweeted this image saying “good to get out of ICU and settled in new digs. Thanks for all your messages and well wishes. It really means a lot,” when he was moved out of ICU.

Mr Andrews was discharged from Alfred Health on Monday morning after being released from intensive care on Saturday, sharing a photo of himself wearing a brace.

He said on Monday he would require at least six weeks to recover from his injuries, which include an acute compression fracture of the T7 vertebra and five broken ribs, and had been asked to complete a program of physiotherapy.

“I narrowly avoided permanent damage to my spinal cord,” he said. “These are serious injuries that require me to wear a brace throughout each day except when sleeping.”

“My doctors also want me to get rest and undertake a comprehensive program of physiotherapy. That’s why I will take a leave of absence from my duties for at least six weeks.”

Mr Andrews said Victorian Deputy Premier James Merlino would lead the state until his return and he remained in contact with his colleagues.

“It’s important I take this rest and recovery seriously as one trauma specialist said to Cath and I last week, ‘You very narrowly avoided a life-changing injury — you should buy a Tattslotto ticket, you are very lucky to be here in one piece’,” Mr Andrews said.

“I’m not sure about the Tatts­lotto ticket but I’m certain that with rest, continued high quality care and the support of family, friends, colleagues and the Victorian community, I’ll be back doing the job I love as soon as possible.”