Daniel Andrews is in intensive care after breaking several ribs and damaging his spine after slipping on wet stairs at home while getting ready for work.
The Victorian Premier’s office initially said the fall on Tuesday morning was ‘concerning’ but the leader had not suffered any head injuries.
But a statement from Mr Andrews that afternoon revealed a series of horrific injuries uncovered by a CT scan – leaving him in hospital in intensive care for several more days.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews during a press conference in February. He has been taken to hospital after a fall while getting ready in the morning on Tuesday
A statement from Mr Andrews on Tuesday revealed a series of horrific injuries uncovered by a CT scan (pictured)
‘A CT scan has revealed several broke ribs and vertebrae damage, and subsequent medical advice has recommended I remain in intensive care for the next few days,’ Mr Andrews said.
He added that his wife Catherine and their three children Grace, Noah and Joseph were grateful to paramedics who ‘showed such care and kindness to our family this morning’.
The state leader thanked friends and colleagues who sent messages of support throughout the day, and hopes to provide another update later this week.
‘James Merlino will serve as Acting Premier while I recover over the next few days. For now, we’d like to ask that our family’s privacy is respected,’ he said.
Earlier on Tuesday, a spokesman said Mr Andrews was taken to hospital for x-rays as a precautionary measure.
Mr Merlino later said he expected Mr Andrews would soon be ‘back on his feet’.
Pictured: Mr Andrews and his wife Catherine. Mr Andrews said his wife and children were grateful to paramedics for supporting his family after the fall
Victorian Liberal leader Michael O’Brien was among the first to wish the premier well on social media.
‘Hope it’s not serious. Wishing Daniel a speedy recovery,’ he wrote.
The hashtag #GetBetterDan also started trending on Twitter throughout the afternoon, as hundreds of Australians used social media to with the Victorian leader a speedy recovery.
‘Falling over whilst getting ready for work doesn’t even register on the medical scale of weird injuries or illness. Hope Dan is ok,’ one user wrote.
‘The sooner you’re okay, the quicker we can all #GetOnTheBeers to celebrate,’ another said, alluding to a song by Australian band Mashed N Kutcher comprising a range of comments made by Mr Andrews during Covid press conferences.
Someone else used the opportunity to share their own mishaps at home.
‘I tripped over my dog late 2019 and needed micro surgery on my hand. This happens to adults all the time. Hope Dan is alright,’ they wrote.
Earlier on Tuesday, a spokesman said Mr Andrews was taken to hospital for x-rays as a precautionary measure. Pictured: Mr Andrews and his wife Catherine
The state Labor government had been scheduled to announce an inquiry into Indigenous disadvantage on Tuesday.
Mr Merlino will take over the premier’s duties on Tuesday for a press conference in Healesville, north-east of Melbourne.
‘I know around the cabinet table and in private discussions how passionate he is about this day and this announcement,’ Mr Merlino said.
‘It would have only been a trip to the hospital that would have kept him away.’
Victorian Liberal leader Michael O’Brien was among the first to wish the premier well on social media
Mr Andrews was set to announce the first-of-its-kind inquiry to probe how Western colonisation of Australia continues to affect Victoria’s Indigenous community.
Named the ‘Truth and Justice Commission’, the inquiry could lead to reparations being paid by the government to Victoria’s Aboriginal population.
Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe had praised the announcement as ‘historic’ and called for the commission to represent all 38 Aboriginal nations in the state, The Age reported.
‘When the colonisers invaded, there was a war on these lands – a war that hasn’t ended. But we won’t achieve peace without truth,’ she said.
The commission will report after the November 2022 state election.