A FUNDRAISING campaign has been set up to support Coomealla Wentworth cricketer Brian McKenzie and his family.
McKenzie remains in an induced coma in hospital in Melbourne after surgery following an incident on Saturday during his club’s Third Division fixture against Merbein South.
Following the final ball of an over the ball was thrown to the other end of the pitch and struck McKenzie, who was umpiring at square leg, in the side of the head.
It is understood McKenzie continued on the field but a short time later he was rushed to hospital showing signs of concussion and underwent a procedure to release swelling before being transferred to Melbourne for surgery.
Coomealla Wentworth vice-president Darryl Wade, who is also McKenzie’s team leader at the Wentworth Shire Council, visited McKenzie and wife Gloria at the hospital on Tuesday and said there had been no change in McKenzie’s condition.
He said it was unclear whether testing had shown signs of improvement, with medical staff waiting to be able to bring him out of his coma.
Wade described McKenzie, a father of three and grandparent of one, as a popular character in his time as part of the club and Wentworth community.
“Brian’s from Broken Hill, he came down about five years ago … he’s probably been playing cricket all that time. He really enjoys his cricket, he loves it, last year he was probably less than 1 per cent off winning the batting and bowling averages for his side,” Wade said.
“He’s very popular in sport and in work family circles, he’s very meticulous in everything he does, he’s one of those people I can send out to do work and I don’t have to check.”
Wade said the incident had shocked McKenzie’s friends and workmates.
“It was fairly devastating when we first heard about it. We actually had our Christmas party the day after, which we thought about cancelling but we decided it would be good having a get-together and communicating and for everyone to have a talk about it,” Wade said.
“I think that worked out reasonably well.”
Donations can be made via the Brian McKenzie page at www.gofundme.com/f/brian-mckenzie-fund-
