James Hird badly concussed in bicycle fall
James Hird’s wife has revealed the Essendon AFL coach is “very dopey” and “very sore” after a severe concussion, but says he should be fine.
He was discharged from hospital before noon on Tuesday, with Essendon Football Club saying in a statement he was “in good spirits and will continue to rest up at home”.
Essendon said it expects Hird will coach the team on Friday night, but will make a final decision on Wednesday.
• Bombers ease pressure on Hird with gritty win
• Ageing Bombers bracing for nuclear winter
Hird was severely concussed in a heavy fall from his bicycle while riding home from training on Monday.
Essendon tweeted this photo of its coach in hospital, shortly after updating the media on his condition.
Thumbs up Hirdy! pic.twitter.com/VKEfDXFZ3E
— Essendon FC (@EssendonFC) July 14, 2015
“By the time I’d left last night, all the scans had come through really positively and he was lucid,” Tania Hird told reporters outside her home on Tuesday morning.
“They’ve kept him in for observation and some testing this morning, so hopefully it is OK.”
Tania Hird said she did not have details of the injuries but confirmed the 42-year-old has been cleared of any fractures.
“Which is fantastic and by the time we left last night, he was able to talk,” she said.
“He was dopey – very dopey – and obviously very sore, but he was able to talk and I think it’ll all be fine.”
“I said that to him – I think we won’t do any wet-weather riding anymore. You can take the car, I think.”
A decision on whether Hird coaches on Friday night is expected to be made later in the week.
Bombers doctor Bruce Reid said Hird was taken by ambulance to hospital on Monday afternoon for assessment.
“James was very fortunate he was wearing a helmet which has braced his fall,” Reid said.
“He has suffered severe concussion however X-rays have cleared him of any fractures.
“James will remain in hospital for ongoing observation and, following a review, we hope he will be discharged soon,” Reid said.
Essendon will provide a further update on Tuesday.
– with AAP/ABC
