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Toddler trapped in terrifying NRL incident

Fox Sports

Fox Sports

A frightening moment that saw Cronulla player Chris Heighington’s son trapped under a buggy overshadowed the Sharks’ 25-20 win over the Gold Coast on Sunday.

The toddler – wearing a Cronulla replica jersey – was on the field at the Southern Cross Group Stadium shortly after the final whistle as Sharks players celebrated their fourth triumph of the campaign.

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But disaster almost struck when Heighington’s son, Rocco, was run over by an unmanned buggy that was collecting advertising equipment.

The boy was then stuck under the buggy, before Heighington, team-mate Ben Barba and officials charged to the vehicle to tilt it and free him.

He was clearly distressed but soon in his father’s arms as he was taken to see doctors.

Cronulla later posted on Twitter that the boy was ‘looking good’ after reports he suffered a cut on the inside of his mouth.

The Sharks are set to launch an investigation as they try and determine what exactly happened.

At the top of their list is sure to be why the buggy was moving when it was unmanned.

‘It was a pretty distressing sight’

Heighington consoles his son after the incident. Photo: Fox Sports

Heighington consoles his son after the incident. Photo: Fox Sports

Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan said that initial reports from doctors were that the three-year-old was recovering well.

“The doctor said that he’s okay,” he said.

“I think they’re still checking him out because he’s only a little kid and he can’t tell me too much what’s wrong with him.

“It’s terribly concerning but hopefully he’s okay. He’s in the sheds with the doctor and the paramedics so touch wood he’s okay.”

Flanagan also said an investigation was on the cards.

“(The club) will find out how it happened,” he said.

“I’ll leave that to Lyall (Cronulla chief executive Lyall Gorman) and his men. We’ll make sure that we find out why and how.”

Cronulla captain Paul Gallen said he was distressed by the incident – which occurred while he was doing a pitchside interview with radio commentator Mark Riddell.

“I was doing the interview with the ‘Pig’ (Riddell) and it was a pretty distressing sight,” he said.

“It didn’t look good but the boys were there pretty quick and they tipped the buggy on the side and got him out.

“I can’t imagine how ‘Heighno’ must feel. It didn’t look great. But as ‘Flanno’ said, thankfully he’s OK.”

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