‘Horrific accident’: Massive update as 90s footy icon Tony Modra fights for life
The wife of footy cult hero Tony Modra has given an update on the 90s heart-throb’s condition after he was involved in a “horrific” incident.
Adelaide Crows legend Tony Modra is fighting for his life following a crash involving his cattle truck in South Australia on Thursday.
Modra was airlifted to Flinders Medical Centre from the crash site at Back Valley, south of Adelaide.
According to an update from SA Health on Friday morning, Modra is now in a “critical but stable” condition.
His wife Erica has shared new details about Modra’s condition with her husband’s former teammate Mark Ricciuto, where she said the 57-year-old’s condition has improved while receiving treatment.
Ricciuto, a Crows legend-turned Fox Footy analyst, shared the news with Triple M radio in Adelaide.
Speaking on his Breakfast with Roo, Ditts & Loz show, Ricciuto read out a message he had received from Erica.
Ricciuto was clearly emotional as he read out the message and needed a moment to compose himself as he discussed their friendship.
“She (Erica) just wants to say, a very big thankyou to the first responders, Sarah and Anthony, who saved his life,” he said.
“And helped talk through to Erica while things were going down. She wants to thank the MFS (Metropolitan Fire Service) and the emergency personnel at the Victor Harbor hospital, who stabilised him and got him sorted.
“And the intensive care team who took control and looked after him. She just wants to thank… there’s people ringing her and she obviously can’t get back to everyone. She’s a bit overwhelmed with everything.
“She wants to say thank you to all the people in WA as well. I’ll continue to try and update you. I’ve got lots of messages here so it’s hard for me to keep doing it.
“She said he’s going all right. It’s pretty amazing that he’s got through it.
“She said to me before he’s not going to be the same good looking Tony Modra. He’s going to have some scars. I said he can be like us for once instead of being good looking as he always has been.
“So, he’s going OK and we’re fingers crossed he’s going to get through it OK. She just wanted to thank everyone on the scene.
“It wasn’t a good place to be by the sounds of it. They got through it. He’s in a reasonable position at this stage.”
AFL great Tony Modra fighting for life after truck crash
It comes as FIVEAA radio presenter Jess Adamson also reported on information she received from SA Health.
“We’re hearing that he’s rallying, and that there are some encouraging signs, which is the best news,” she said.
Earlier, South Australian Police shared a brief statement.
“A truck driver has been seriously injured after a crash at Back Valley,” SA Police said.
“About 5.15pm on Thursday 18 June, police and emergency services responded to reports of that a truck had crashed into a tree on Range Road, Back Valley, about 10 kilometres west of Victor Harbor.
“The driver and sole occupant of the truck, a 57-year-old Waitpinga man, was taken to hospital for treatment for serious injuries.
“Traffic restrictions were in place for several hours, however the road has since fully reopened.”
Modra has lived in Waitpinga for most of his post-footy life, sharing a home with wife Erica, 18-year-old daughter Hayley May and son Luke, 14.
From an era when full forwards ruled the AFL, Modra didn’t have the same imposing physical presence as heavyweights like Tony Lockett, Jason Dunstall and Gary Ablett but what he lacked in stature he made up for with his incredible leap.
A winner of the league’s mark of the year on three occasions, images of Modra sitting on the heads of opposition players are etched in footy history.
He exploded on the competition in 1993, kicking 129 goals as the Crows made a preliminary final in just their third season in the AFL, finishing just behind Ablett in an epic three-way tussle for the Coleman Medal where Dunstall also topped 120 for the season.
Modra was the league’s pin-up boy during this time, beloved just as much by female fans and a sensation in Adelaide where he known as “Godra”.
He would go on to claim his first and only Coleman Medal in 1997 before his season was ruined by a knee injury that denied him a chance to play in Adelaide’s maiden premiership.
He was unable to force his way back into the Crows’ best side the following season too and images of him missing out on the ultimate glory broke the hearts of fans everywhere.
After not being selected for the 1998 Grand Final, Modra and the Crows parted way and he spent the final three seasons at Fremantle, where he could still take the occasional screamer and kick a bag of goals – but wasn’t the same player.
He finished his career with 588 goals from 165 games and was a two-time All-Australian.
It wasn’t long before his relationship with the Crows was back on solid footing – and he became a regular fixture around the club in ambassadorial roles.
Premier, footy world reacts to Modra crash
South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas led the tributes to Modra as South Australians and footy fans reacted to the news.
“Mods is an SA icon who has never forgotten where he came from. Down to earth and just a really good bloke,” Malinauskas said.
“Tony and his family are in our thoughts tonight, and we all hope he’ll be ok.”
The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph wrote on X: “A horrific accident involving the Crows and Fremantle legend. Those close to him still holding out hope but a huge fight ahead for 57-year-old Modra.”
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir also spoke about Modra after the Dockers’ win against Geelong on Thursday night.
“He’s obviously a big part of the Freo family,” Longmuir said. “All I can say is I wish him and his family well and hopefully he can pull through … we’re all thinking of him.”
Source: https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/adelaide-crows-legend-tony-modra-fighting-for-his-life-after-truck-crash/news-story/1790619494402a4f30f99684fe5e2667