Man placed in coma after head clash playing basketball at Blacktown Showground

A young man has been flown to hospital in critical condition after smashing into another player during a basketball match in Blacktown.

A young man has sustained critical head injuries after clashing with another player during a basketball game in Western Sydney Sunday morning.

The man, aged in his 20s, smacked his head into another player at the Blacktown Showground Precinct basketball courts with such force that it knocked him to the ground.

He fell and was knocked unconscious as his head came into contact with the court.

The Mounties CareFlight chopper flew to the showgrounds.

Just before 9.30am on Sunday, the Mounties Care CareFlight Helicopter team flew into the grounds to join paramedics who were providing initial critical care.

The man was put into an induced coma at the scene and flown to Westmead Hospital in a critical but stable condition.

Pictures taken at the scene show the man hooked up on an IV drip and being wheeled away on a stretcher by paramedics and CareFlight staff.

Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale said the incident was “very serious” and wished the young man a speedy recovery.

“Anything like that is very serious. (Council) is very concerned when any sportsperson has that type of injury,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“Hopefully the person will make a full recovery.”

Mayor Bleasdale said he wasn’t sure if the men were having a friendly social match or partaking in a local competition.

He was confident however that the courts were adjacent to the Blacktown City Show that was on during the weekend, saying that it had not impacted the event.

“The courts are in the same vicinity (but) it really was not a part of the showground,” he said.

“The show itself has been functioning quite well for two days.”

Fellow Councillor Jess Diaz was shocked to hear that someone in the community had suffered such a serious injury and held deep concerns for their health.

“Oh, my goodness. I’m really, really sorry to hear that. I am really sorry for the family and I’m sure that council will endeavour to assist in any way we can,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“It’s a close community. It’s a horrible thing to happen to any family.

“During any weekend (the showground) is a sizeable amenity for the community, usually filled with hundreds of people. People are there all the time having picnic and parties.

Councillor Diaz said he would reach out to the Blacktown Council General Manager to inform him of the incident.

“Any assistance we can provide, we will be happy to (give),” he said.

Originally published as Man placed in coma after head clash playing basketball at Blacktown Showground