Phil Hughes Dead: Cricketer Hit On The Head By Ball Dies Of Injuries

Australian cricketer Phil Hughes has died, two days after being hit by a ball on his head. Hughes has been in a state of an induced coma since Tuesday, the day he was hit and never regained consciousness after the incident, reports Hindustan Times. Doctors performed emergency surgery on him — but were unable to save him. His family was by his side when Phil Hughes passed away. In a statement released by Cricket Australia, Australian team doctor Peter Brukner broke the news.

“It is my sad duty to inform you that a short time ago Phillip Hughes passed away.”

Hughes, would have turned 26 on November 30.

Phil Hughes was playing a domestic match ahead of Australia’s test series against India which would have started next week. He was hit by a bouncer bowled by fast bowler Sean Abbot after he unsuccessfully tried to pull the short ball. He missed the shot and the ball reportedly hit the back of his neck, critically injuring a key artery that supplies blood to the brain. In a video showing the sequence of events after Phil was hit, he is seen standing dazed and then suddenly falls face first on to the ground. Teammates and rival players sensed trouble and gathered around him and called for ambulance.

According to officials from the Sydney Cricket Ground, an emergency call asking for an ambulance was made at 2:28 pm, just six minutes after Phil was hit. The ambulance did not however arrive until 2:52 pm. Later, a helicopter and another ambulance was dispatched as well. Questions were raised as to why an ambulance took nearly 30 minutes to reach the stadium, even though the nearest ambulance station was less than a mile away.

While still on the ground unconscious, Hughes was administered CPR by his team’s doctor, John Orchard. The ambulance eventually arrived and he was rushed to a hospital for further evaluation.

Meanwhile the SCG officials defended their actions on the day of the incident.

“SCG Trust staff followed the venue’s emergency management plan quickly, calmly and professionally, as did staff from Cricket NSW and the NSW Ambulance Service,” trust official Phil Heads told reporters.

Apart from the arterial damage, Phil also fractured his skull, according to doctors at the hospital where he was undergoing treatment. He had suffered catastrophic bleeding in his brain, reports IBN Live. The death of Phil Hughes has raised many questions regarding the safety protocols being used in cricket matches. Hughes suffered grievous injury even though he was wearing a helmet at the time he was hit by the ball. The incident has also raised questions about the usage of bouncers on the cricket field.

Earlier, Australia’s biggest cricket stars — including Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith visited Hughes and sat by his bedside. Supporters and fans of Hughes hugged and cried outside the hospital. Michael Clarke, Australia’s captain, was constantly with Phil’s family at the St Vincent’s Hospital.

We at the Inquisitr condole the death of a promising young cricketer. RIP Phil Hughes.

[Image Via Cricket Australia]