Mackay dies
6 Apr 2009
Brumbies lock Shawn Mackay passed away at St Augustine’s Hospital in Durban at 3am on Monday.
The 26-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest, according to a Brumbies spokesperson.
Mackay had been in hospital, critically ill with multiple injuries, since 29 March when he was hit by an armed response car in a Durban street at 4:15am after leaving a nightclub. Mackay’s parents, John and Leonie, and girlfriend Trish flew to South Africa on Tuesday to be by his side.
Team officials said Mackay had shown some positive signs after being brought out of a medically induced coma late last week and underwent surgery.
‘After his surgery, Shawn contracted an infection in his bloodstream,’ said the Brumbies’ chief executive, Andrew Fagan. ‘He deteriorated rapidly and suffered a cardiac arrest from which he didn’t recover.
‘It’s devastating news for his family and for all of the Brumbies community. Our thoughts and those of the players are with his family at this most difficult time.’
Brumbies coach Andy Friend told his squad about Mackay’s death when they landed in Sydney on Monday afternoon (Australian time).
179 Comments
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7 Apr 2009, 11:55 am
#149 TheTackler: Okay, Tackler, “articulate” away. Exactly what is the “tricky” question you would like to ask?
You know this incredibly laborious, like asking a 3-year old what’s wrong with him.
7 Apr 2009, 12:05 pm
Dear keo.co.za bloggers,
I must apologize (in part) for the particular thread (initiated by Tackler) that has detracted from the main story. However, I feel that it is important in a community such as this (even an online one) to interrogate the more unpleasant sides of its/our nature. Obviously Tackler is not the only one who spouts the occasional line in racism and bigotry, but I feel in this instance he should state clearly what he implies, because at heart his comments are not merely insensitive and uninformed, but malicious and libelous. He might like to think its all about thin-skinned “jarpies”, but its actually about common decency and dignity which, I’ve heard, is practiced all over the world, including Australia and New Zealand. It’s not about Saffas and non-Saffas, but a community of rugby-lovers debating the game passionately and generously.
7 Apr 2009, 12:21 pm
I’m not claiming anything. I’m not even implying anything. I’m asking hard questions.
Was the level of medical care one gets in Durban as good as that one might get in Canberra, or did it fall short of industry best-practice when a fit, young crash victim dies of a heart attack a few days after getting a “blood infection”?
Tragic though it undoubtedly is, these questions are not going to go away. It’s being asked in thousands of conversations or even in deep inner thoughts. It’s a raw nerve struck.
And you’re secretly asking it too. Go on, admit it.
7 Apr 2009, 12:39 pm
#152 TheTackler: Actually, I’m not. As someone who has gone through pretty much the same experience as Mackay’s family, I had a long time to think about the precariousness of the situation, and the unpredictable fluctuations in condition. In my case, the patient (also a fine young sportsman) has made slow steady progress over a period of years from an accident worse than Mackay’s.
Many of the doctors and surgeons I know (both here and in Aus) speak often about the terrible uncertainty in trauma situations.
If you were arguing in the correct context, then this might be a debate worth having, but your argument emanates solely from a bizarre progandistic viewpoint and, remains, unsubstantiated by any facts at all, other than the one you keep trotting out unsatisfactorily.
7 Apr 2009, 12:56 pm
Sorry. I’m only asking questions. You are, over-defensively, choosing to ascribe a whole wad of thumbsucked nonsense like “propagandistic viewpoints” bla bla to the very notion of my right to be asking these questions.
Well, learn from King Canute — you cannot order the tide to recede.
I’m not trotting out ANY facts, except for just one: the patient is dead.
And nobody needs any convincing as to how perfectly and indisputably true that — tragically — is.
7 Apr 2009, 13:11 pm
There are many kinds of pain.
But losing someone you love….is the hardest for the heart to cope with.
To the family, friends and loved ones in Shawn’s life,
Sincere condolences.
Cane.
7 Apr 2009, 16:46 pm
#122 superba:
Superbra there is no point reasoning with an individual who obtained his medical diagnostic skills by watching ER, House and Greys anatomy.
Tackler is being a chop!
I can only imagine the frustrations that you as a medical person has to endure since the advent of the internet and medical tv drama’s.
Everybody knows that top notch medical knowledge can only be gained sans a good medical school by watching St Elsewhere and Scrubs.
Perhaps Keo should organise a whip around to buy Tackler a box set of these series so he won’t make an a#hole of himself with his next diagnosis.
8 Apr 2009, 00:19 am
I’m not “diagnosing” anything other than the fact that the patient is dead. There’s no dispute about this.
The hospital where he died released the cause of death as a heart attack, following a “blood infection”. No disputing this either. The doctors admit they couldn’t locate the source of the blood infection and that the measures they took to curb it failed.
Nothing “choppy” about any of this.
The question remains : was the medical care given to this poor man best-practice and first-world, or wasn’t it?
8 Apr 2009, 02:34 am
#157 TheTackler: You are clearly trying to uphold an image you have created for yourself on this blog. I have no problem with you doing that, except for using this thread and this tragedy, to maintain that dubious image. I find it in extremely bad taste, and the conduct of a truly heartless person.
I also lost my son. He had cancer and passed away in hospital. Chemotherapy destroys the immune system, and consequently patients are vulnerable to all sorts of infections. Standard antibiotics do not cure all infections, and in such cases blood samples have to be incubated for up to 48 hours before they can isolate the virus causing the infection and start to target it directly. There is absolutely nothing that doctors can do during that period except wait and try and control fever. Patients, especially when they are weakened, are vulnerable during this time.
I am telling you, there is NOTHING sinister in situations like these, so PLEASE stop asking insensitive “questions” that will only open wounds of relatives even further. The Brumbies doctor has confirmed that Shawn received good medical care, so leave it at that, and show some class and sensitivity man!
RIP Shawn, you will be remembered, and condolences to his loving parents, and girl friend.
8 Apr 2009, 02:46 am
Mackay didn’t pass away from cancer or have an immune system compromised by chemo. And condolences to you on the death of your son, and most sincerely so.
I broke the news of Shawn’s tragic death on this very website ahead of the journos running it. I opened this thread, without that irritating stupid ritual of referring to reptiles.
And it IS tragic. And I heartily join all the condolences expressed.
But there IS an elephant in the room here.
And I’m pointing that out, because you can bet your bottom dollar that I’m not the only person on earth wondering what the answer is.
Tackle the issue, I say.
8 Apr 2009, 02:56 am
#159 TheTackler:
no doubt the issue will be tackled but the fact is people die in hospitals all around the world every day despite the best efforts of those providing care.
I must ask tickles – if this had happened in a New Zealand or Australian hospital would you be asking the same questions you’re asking now? And try to be honest with yourself.
8 Apr 2009, 02:58 am
on a lighter note though, do you think the Crusaders will launch a commission of inquiry if they fail to win the S14 this year?
I mean the ABs did it when they failed to win a competition they have not won since 1987, so by that standard it should be even more questionable if the great Crusaders tank in a competition they have dominated for 10 years now.
8 Apr 2009, 04:22 am
I see The Times is now asking the question out aloud too, and St Augustine’s Hospital is refusing to supply answers. This is really not doing the hospital and its reputation any favours. People insist on having a look at what lies beyond the veil of secrecy.
Questions WILL be asked. And questions SHOULD be asked.
8 Apr 2009, 04:31 am
#161 munkiboi: Crusaders once came totally stone wooden-spooningly last in the Super 12 some years ago. And then they came back a year or two later to win the whole trophy for three straight years in a row. The odd major setback happening every now and then really doesn’t mean the sky has fallen.
8 Apr 2009, 04:33 am
#163 TheTackler:
so they probably wont launch a commission of inquiry into their loss then?
by the way did you support the findings of the inquiry into the all blacks failure at the 2007 world cup?
8 Apr 2009, 05:02 am
#164 munkiboi: Built a bridge, moved on, got over it. (And it’s way off topic.)
8 Apr 2009, 09:25 am
#159 TheTackler:
He had surgery on his spine, that alone is a compromised immune system.
Go and solve the Kennedy assassination.
8 Apr 2009, 09:36 am
#159 TheTackler:
i agree with you
you should tackle the issue(s) indeed
tackle the issue of why you hate your roots so much
tackle the issue of why you’ll never be maori … yes, yes i know you’re trying very hard indeed, you can be sure of my heartfelt sympathy in that regard indeed
tackle the issue of why you’ll always be an outsider
tackle the issue of why your adopted team keep on doing this: ch-ch-ch-o-f*ck-theyre-choking-again,
whilst we
who have to deal with so much outside influences have won 2, yes 2 wcups … o, and we’re about to make it 3 in nz, cause your team will be ch-ch-ch-choking again!
oh, and while you’re at it
tackle the issue of why you’re such a d**s!!
8 Apr 2009, 09:42 am
So, any ideas about why Shawn died of a blood-infected heart attack in the care of that Durban ICU?
8 Apr 2009, 09:52 am
#167 Ashley, “die ballerinas”-supporter: May I ask why you are so sure to win WC, in case NZ fails? Last time I checked, there will be Australia, France and some other teams, too.
8 Apr 2009, 09:57 am
#168 TheTackler:
i’m sure you’re gonna tell me the following
1. he must be the first person anywhere in the world to die from this?
2. if it ever happened before, then surely it only happened in south-africa (or would you prefer africa)?
3. healthcare anywhere else in the world, is worlds better than the best you can find in south-africa
oh, and i see that you mentioned the fact that you symphathised with shawn’s family on their loss?
well, you twisted little b*stard, you couldve kept your condolences. you are not trying to look for answers in order to try and prevent the same happening to someone elses loved ones,
you’re using this as a way to get back at your country of birth, trying to show everyone else why you’re now “better off”.
for your information, my friend ….everyone else, is also looking for answers,
but unlike you, most know that it wont be found on a rugby site!
now go somewhere else and take your agendas with you!
8 Apr 2009, 09:58 am
#169 Nils:
i can see the future!! hehehe
8 Apr 2009, 10:05 am
#171 Ashley, “die ballerinas”-supporter: I’m trying to recall when I last have heard such victory trumpets here.
Got it – before 3 Nations.
8 Apr 2009, 10:09 am
#172 Nils:
so there you have it!!!
…
its time to take the trumpets out again!
8 Apr 2009, 10:10 am
#173 Ashley, “die ballerinas”-supporter:
8 Apr 2009, 10:14 am
#174 Nils:
i see that quite a few of your european based players are moving (or planning to move) back to nz?
last time i heard chris jack had a fall-out with his club? do you think he will return to international rugby?
8 Apr 2009, 10:17 am
anyway, guys, i’m supposed to be on leave
see ya
enjoy!
8 Apr 2009, 10:21 am
#175 Ashley, “die ballerinas”-supporter: I do believe Chris Jack et al will be at the same club next season. Seems paying out contracts will stuff up the salary cap… This gets funnier all the time.
Oh I’m certain NZ would be more than happy to have their stars back home. No doubt about that.
8 Apr 2009, 11:35 am
#170 Ashley, “die ballerinas”-supporter: Agendas? What agendas?
Sounds like paranoia.
Shawn is dead.
If he died of being run over, there would be no questions.
He died ten days later, not of his crash injury, but of a heart attack brought on by an acquired “blood infection” in the ICU of supposedly-good private SA hospital.
It raises worrying questions.
They need answers.
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