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http://www.thewest.com.au/default.as...ntentID=134784
South African police say their investigation into the accident which left Brumbies rugby player Shawn Mackay with critical injuries will now be treated as culpable homicide, Durban newspaper The Mercury reports.
Durban police, who are yet to make an arrest after Mckay was struck by an armed response vehicle in a street early on March 29, had been treating the matter as negligent driving before news of the Mackay’s death on Monday.
“It will be investigated like all other accidents and when the investigation is finalised, it will be handed to the director of public prosecutions to decide whether anybody should be prosecuted,” police spokesperson Phindile Radebe was quoted as saying.
Mackay, 26, died in Durban’s St Augustine’s Hospital at 3.35am (11.35am AEST) on Monday.
The Brumbies said Mackay, who had undergone spinal surgery, suffered a cardiac arrest after contracting a blood infection.
The hospital said a post-mortem would be performed on Tuesday, the Mercury reported.
Brumbies coach Andy Friend said on Tuesday players struggling with Mackay’s death won’t be asked to play the Super 14 match against the Stormers on Saturday if they don’t feel up to it.
The squad arrived home from their three-match tour of South Africa on Monday to news of the tragic death.
“We’ll certainly respect every player’s view on that, for all of us this is an absolute tragedy,” Friend told reporters on Tuesday.
“We’ve got a lot of young players who’ve never dealt with anything like this in the past.
“So if players aren’t up for playing we’re certainly not going to make them play.”
Friend said a voluntary prayer group would be held for players at midday on Tuesday and the squad would have a catch-up later in the afternoon.
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