Tragedy strikes former Wallaby star Brendan Cannon
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FORMER rugby union Test star Brendan Cannon's 15-month-old son is on life-support after the ex-Wallabies hooker accidentally backed over him in the driveway of their home.
The sickening accident is almost a carbon copy of another accident involving another ex-Wallabies hooker, Phil Kearns, and his toddler five years ago.
Cannon ran over his son, Samuel, while reversing his four-wheel-drive at their Brisbane home, fracturing both his legs and causing internal injuries. Samuel was in a critical condition in hospital last night.
"It's one of those worst-case scenarios," a shattered Cannon said.
"We've got a very narrow driveway and you need to be focusing on clearing the gate. I was reversing out, concentrating on the right side of the gate to get out, and I've accidentally run over the little guy."
Samuel had been playing with his mother, Fiona, in the backyard when he suddenly dashed 30m to the car after seeing his siblings Joseph, 5, and Phoebe, 3, getting into the 4WD with their father.
"I have accidentally run over his side - I've run over his lower limbs," Cannon said. "He is on life-support, the situation is critical, he has a fracture in the left and right femur. There's internal swelling and laceration of his liver."
Doctors have said it is a "miracle" that Samuel survived.
Kearns was involved in a similar accident in 2005 when he ran over his baby daughter, Andie, in the driveway of his Sydney home. She suffered liver damage and abdominal injuries, but survived and has since made a full recovery.
Kearns said yesterday he would try to contact Cannon to offer his support.
"Myself and my family offer our love and support to Brendan and his family and I know what he's going through," Kearns said.
http://www.news.com.au/national/trag...#ixzz0sdaMpP7P
Cannon focuses on his son
Cannon focuses on his son
* Bret Harris
* From: The Australian
* July 05, 2010 12:00AM
FORMER Wallabies hooker Brendan Cannon will step down from The Rugby Club on Fox Sports to focus on the recovery of his baby son, Samuel.
Cannon accidentally reversed over 15-month-old Samuel in a four-wheel drive in the family driveway in Brisbane on Saturday, leaving him in a critical condition in hospital.
Samuel has two broken legs, a broken arm and a lacerated liver, but he is expected to make a full recovery.
The accident was similar to that involving another former Test hooker, Phil Kearns, also a panellist on The Rugby Club, who ran over his baby daughter Andie three years ago.
Another former Wallabies hooker, Jeremy Paul, will replace Cannon on the program on Thursday night.
Paul has cancelled playing in a charity game in Cairns to fill in for Cannon.
"I've tried to contact Brendan, but I haven't been able to get through," Paul said. "It's a terrible thing.
"Brendan won't do the show this week. I'll do it."
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225887762787