Schoolboy ‘stable’ after rugby injury

A LISBURN schoolboy remains in a stable condition following an incident on the rugby field last week.
David Ross.David Ross.
David Ross.

David Ross, 18, an Upper Sixth pupil at Wallace High School, was left fighting for his life when he was injured during a Third XV Schools’ Cup match against St. Columb’s College in Londonderry on Wednesday February 27.

The Moira teenager was initially taken to Altnagelvin Hospital before being transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, where he remains.

A hospital spokesperson said on Wednesday that David remains in a ‘stable condition’.

David sustained what the ambulance service said was a “suspected neck injury”, leaving him in a critical condition.

He had surgery for serious neck and spinal injuries, although the accident is not believed to have been injured during a scrum.

His family are understood to have been keeping a vigil at his bedside at the RVH.

It is understood that David, who works part-time in a local supermarket, was treated by officials on the pitch until paramedics arrived.

The ambulance service received a 999 call at 3.11pm, following a 2.30pm match kick-off. It took eight minutes to arrive.

The ambulance crew provided medical treatment and then transferred the patient to Altnagelvin Hospital.

Altnagelvin then later requested an emergency ambulance transfer to the fracture clinic at the Royal Hospital in Belfast, where he arrived shortly before 9pm that night.

Wallace High School would not comment about the situation.

David Boyd, the IRFU’s domestic rugby manager for Ulster, said: “The IRFU Ulster branch is aware an 18-year-old representing Wallace High School was injured in a rugby match against St Columb’s.

“The thoughts of everyone in the rugby community are with the player and his family at this time.”

One man who worked with Mr Ross described him as an “absolute gentleman” and said that everyone “had feared the worst” when they heard the news.

Aaron Baker, 26, and also from Moira, worked alongside him at the town’s SuperValu supermarket,.

He said: “He’s an absolute gentleman.

“To be honest everyone in the shop is in shock.”