A Northland community is reeling as one of its rising stars fights for his life after being injured in a rugby game. His family is by his hospital bedside “waiting hour by hour” hoping his critical condition improves.
Seriously injured Darryl Sabin is the son of prominent Northland businessman Mike Sabin, who has urged those who know the talented sportsman “to keep Darryl in your thoughts”.
Darryl Sabin was playing in a home game for his side in Te Hapua on Saturday when he was tackled by an opposition player from Waipapakauri.
Henry sends message for young injured player
All Blacks coach Graham Henry has sent a message of encouragement to a seriously injured Northland rugby player who remains in a coma and on life-support machines.
Darryl Sabin was injured during a home game last Saturday at Te Hapua, 30km southeast of Cape Reinga.
The 19-year-old received a knock to the head in a tackle and was flown to Auckland Hospital for emergency surgery to relieve swelling on his brain. He remains in a critical condition in the intensive care unit.
Teenager fighting for his life
An 18-year-old man is fighting for his life in Auckland Hospital’s intensive care unit after suffering a catastrophic head injury in a rugby match at Te Hapua on Saturday.
Darryl Sabin, son of Mike and Catherine Sabin (Cooper’s Beach), took the field for Te Hapua against Waipapakauri, Mike saying his son had been “floored by a pretty heavy tackle” in the opening minutes.
The Northland Age understands that the impact, which was not ruled illegal, knocked Darryl out, but he regained consciousness a short time later and walked off the field. His condition deteriorated, however, and the Northland Electricity rescue helicopter flew to Te Hapua to deliver him to Whangarei Hospital. He underwent a brain scan there and was then flown to Auckland, where he underwent surgery to relieve pressure on the brain.
Mike Sabin is proud of his 18-year-old son Darryl, who was continuing to fight for his life in the Critical Care Unit at Auckland Hospital yesterday afternoon.
Darryl suffered a severe head injury while playing rugby at Te Hapua on Saturday, Mike saying yesterday that he remained in a coma and on life support, but was fighting with all his strength.
“He’s young, he’s strong and he’s a battler, and he’s giving it all he’s got,” he said.
“His heart is almost beating out of his chest. He really does seem to be doing all he can.”
Horror head injury confirms worst fears
A former top detective was so scared his son would injure himself playing rugby he wanted the High Court to issue an injunction to stop him.
But while Mike Sabin was awaiting legal advice, his fears came tragically true last weekend with 18-year-old Northland club rugby flanker Darryl airlifted to Auckland Hospital after a suspected high tackle.
The Mangonui teen was last night in a coma suffering serious brain swelling following a “catastrophic head injury”.
His game, for Te Hapua against Waipapakauri, was only the second match Darryl had played since a similar injury on the football field two years ago.
Fighting back tears from near his son’s hospital bedside, ex-drug squad officer Mike told Sunday News: “This has blown my world apart. Your perception of life changes, it really does.
For two months Darryl Sabin lay silent in his bed unable to speak.
The talented, young sportsman suffered a serious head injury during a tackle in a rugby match in the Far North on Anzac Day.
He was flown to Auckland where he had emergency brain surgery and lay in a coma for weeks before eventually opening his eyes.
Since then his family have ridden an emotional rollercoaster, watching his slow progress from hospital wards and a rehabilitation centre in Auckland.
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Darryl’s back from the … BRINK
Up-and-coming rugby player Darryl Sabin suffered a catastrophic head injury that could have killed him. Yet the determined young man is taking his first tentative steps on the long road to recovery. Reporter Kristin Edge visited the plucky teenager at the West Auckland brain injury rehabilitation centre as Darryl and his father, Mike, work to beat the odds.
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