Dan Andrews’ mobility is ‘greatly’ reduced and he could be out of action for ‘MONTHS’ as surgeon reveals grim details about his horror fall at home
- A leading orthopedic surgeon revealed Dan Andrews may be in pain for months
- Dr John Cunningham has described the moment Mr Andrews slipped as ‘tragic’
- Mr Andrews was sent to a hospital that deals with traumatic spinal injuries
Daniel Andrews may be in severe pain for weeks and have reduced mobility for months after slipping on wet stairs in a tragic accident.
The Victorian Premier fell while getting ready for work at a rental property on the Mornington Peninsula on Tuesday morning.
He was placed in intensive care after scans revealed he cracked multiple ribs and injured his vertebrae, before he was moved to the specialist trauma centre at Alfred hospital in Melbourne overnight.
On Wednesday, orthopaedic surgeon Dr John Cunningham said the Victorian leader’s injuries could be significantly worse than initially anticipated.
Pictured: Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks to the media on March 2, just one week before his accident
Orthopaedic surgeon Dr John Cunningham (pictured) said the Victorian leader’s injuries could be significantly worse than initially anticipated
Mr Cunningham, while not Mr Andrews’ doctor, has been working at the Royal Melbourne hospital for a decade and based his analysis off the description of the Premier’s injuries.
He described the accident as ‘tragic’.
‘From what I’ve heard of his injuries I think he’ll be in a lot of pain and discomfort for some weeks to come,’ he told NCA NewsWire.
‘It may depend on whether he requires a brace or an operation on his back, but I expect as the injuries have been described to me that this accident will leave him with greatly reduced mobility.’
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
A statement from Mr Andrews on Tuesday revealed a series of horrific injuries uncovered by a CT scan (pictured)
He explained that patients with spinal trauma are either sent to Alfred or Royal Melbourne – meaning that Mr Andrews’ transfer from Peninsula Private Hospital on Tuesday may indicate a ‘significant spinal injury’.
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 for several more days.
Mr Andrews had been due to attend a press conference on Tuesday morning and would have travelled from the holiday home.
‘Early this morning, I was admitted to hospital after slipping and falling on wet and slippery stairs,’ he said.
Mr Andrews (pictured) had been due to attend a press conference on Tuesday morning and would have travelled from the holiday home
Mr Andrews’ transfer from Peninsula Private Hospital to Alfred hospital (pictured) on Tuesday could indicate a ‘significant spinal injury’
‘A CT scan has revealed several broken ribs and vertebrae damage, and subsequent medical advice has recommended I remain in intensive care for the next few days.
‘James Merlino will serve as Acting Premier while I recover over the next few days.
‘I hope to be able to provide another update later this week. For now, we’d like to ask that our family’s privacy is respected.’
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.