Aussie Rules player suffers 'life altering injuries' and is placed in induced coma after pub incident

An Aussie Rules player is in an induced coma after an incident outside a pub in Port Lincoln, South Australia during the early hours of Sunday morning. 

Sam May, 24, of the West Adelaide Bloods, reportedly suffered life-altering injuries from the incident outside Port Lincoln's Pier Hotel. 

Exactly what happened is unclear but he was the only person involved.  

The incident occurred after the Bloods played a SANFL game against Norwood at Centenary Oval for the annual Teakle Cup.

May, a 182cm defender, had recorded seven disposals, three marks and three tackles in the game which was played in Norwood's regional zone of Eyre Peninsula. 

His club released a statement confirming only that an 'incident' had occurred. 

'The West Adelaide Football Club can confirm that senior men's player Sam May was involved in an incident in the early hours at Port Lincoln on Sunday morning,' Bloods chief executive Conny Wilson said.

'Our priority is the health and well being of Sam and his family as well as the wider West Adelaide community.'

The family of the injured player thanked club doctor Megan Deakin, who was one of the first responders one the scene to assist May. 

May's family also released a statement thanking supporters for helping them through a difficult time.

'We are truly grateful for the incredible care our beautiful boy received in Port Lincoln (before) being transferred to Adelaide and now in the RAH,' his family said in a statement.

'He has been blessed to be surrounded by such caring, clever people. Our special thanks also to club doctor Megan Deakin, who was one of the first responders in assisting Sam.

'We are forever grateful that his loyal Westies family and the beautiful Heard family were by his side.

'Sammy is the light of our lives and we absolutely love and adore him as does everyone who is lucky enough to meet him. As awful and as difficult it is, we just need to wait now.

'Your love, strength and prayers for our Sammy are appreciated beyond measure. We have always been so incredibly proud of Sammy, for all that he has achieved and the fabulous young man he is; he's always been such an inspiration.

'We all know he has the heart of a lion and an amazingly brave spirit. He will be doing everything he can to get back to his best. Sincere thanks and much love.

'Sue, Daz, Tom and Sam.'