Polak in Tram Accident

[stan]

Apperently as just report on the news Graham Polak from richmond was hit by a tram last night. I havent been able to find a link to a story with details yet, because I just heard about it on channel 7. Hopefully the Graham is alright and our thoughts are with his family at this stage.

[stan]

Guys I just found this from news.com

Richmond player hit by tram
June 29, 2008 08:32am

RICHMOND AFL footballer Graham Polak is in a critical but stable condition after being hit by a tram in Melbourne last night.

Mr Polak was crossing the road at the Orrong and Dandenong roads intersection in Armadale around 11.30 pm (AEST).

The 24-year-old Prahan man was treated by paramedics and taken to The Alfred hospital. He is believed to be suffering head injuries.

A hospital spokeswoman said Mr Polak was in a critical but stable condition.

Police have confirmed the man involved in the incident was the Richmond key position player.

Guys I just want to add that it would be poor form if anyone posted anything that they would consider to be joke as this is a serious injury for the young man. We all wish him the best.

[wycbloods]

Hope he makes a full recovery. I think football will be the least of his worries for a while.

[Wedgie]

He's got bruising on his brain, was put in an induced coma but improved overnight.
Latest scan shows no extra swelling of the brain which is a good sign.
Hopefully a full recovery to the lad.

[Strawb]

Trams and trains two very dangerous things to be around. I hope he has a full recovery. I wonder what speed the tram was doing?

[Psyber]

Trams and trains two very dangerous things to be around. I hope he has a full recovery. I wonder what speed the tram was doing?

If I remember rightly the tram lines in that region are in a wide median strip going down the centre of Dandenong Rd rather like railway lines, but they are more easily accessible as they cross Orrong Rd.

[Dog_ger]

The guy doesn't appear to be in great shape..

Reports suggest....

Won't play footy again....

Lets only hope the great man recovers.

[rod_rooster]

Hope he recovers ASAP. Not good news regardless of who it is. Thoughts are with his family and friends.

[Psyber]

I am sure we all hope he makes a full recovery, or at least sufficient to live a full life even if he cannot return to AFL.
Has there been any information anywhere about how he came to be hit by a tram??
I gather it was not while he was in a car from the phrasing of the news articles.

[hearts on fire]

I hope he makes a full recovery and can live a normal life again....

Playing footy again is not an issue at this stage, he has alot more to worry about.

[rod_rooster]

I am sure we all hope he makes a full recovery, or at least sufficient to live a full life even if he cannot return to AFL.
Has there been any information anywhere about how he came to be hit by a tram??
I gather it was not while he was in a car from the phrasing of the news articles.

Wasn't in a car. He was crossing the tram lines by foot. Not important though, what is important is that he makes a full recovery.

[JAS]

Terrible accident...thoughts are with him, his family and friends. Wish him a full if not speedy recovery.

The news search site I use has this slightly more detailed report from ABC News...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008 ... 289003.htm

Regards
JAS

[magpie in the 80's]

from what was said on a late news break he was running across the road to catch a taxi and didnt see the tram

[Thiele]

Hope he is ok. My thoughts go to his family and friends

[Mr66]

I wonder what speed the tram was doing?

Having the misfortune of using trams daily, I would say not fast enough.
The bludgers are always late, they stop at green lights and generally dawdle at the best of times.
Polak's bad luck would be to run into one trying to get back to the depot.
BTW, trams are VERY big, so I would like to know how someone would miss one.
His career might be over, so lets hope he can resume a normal life ASAP.

[Thiele]

here is an update

UPDATE: RICHMOND defender Graham Polak's fighting spirit has helped the Tiger breathe on his own less than 48 hours after a horror tram accident.

Polak was tonight moved out of intensive care and into a ward, a spokesman from The Alfred hospital, John Heselev, said.
Polak was transferred out of the intensive care unit about 6.15 tonight and is now in a satisfactory condition

[Mr66]

Sky Sports has just reported that he has woken up and had a shower today.

[Strawb]

I wonder what speed the tram was doing?

Having the misfortune of using trams daily, I would say not fast enough.
The bludgers are always late, they stop at green lights and generally dawdle at the best of times.
Polak's bad luck would be to run into one trying to get back to the depot.
BTW, trams are VERY big, so I would like to know how someone would miss one.
His career might be over, so lets hope he can resume a normal life ASAP.

I work for the railways here in Victoria and i know how dangerous trams really are depending on if the driver is about to finish or not is the speed of the tram.

[best on hill]

from all reports that i have heard polak is already on the mend lets hope he makes a full recovery and hopfully he can return to playing footy cause that is a full recovery unlike motley!

[Psyber]

I wonder what speed the tram was doing?

Having the misfortune of using trams daily, I would say not fast enough.
The bludgers are always late, they stop at green lights and generally dawdle at the best of times.
Polak's bad luck would be to run into one trying to get back to the depot.
BTW, trams are VERY big, so I would like to know how someone would miss one.
His career might be over, so lets hope he can resume a normal life ASAP.

I work for the railways here in Victoria and i know how dangerous trams really are depending on if the driver is about to finish or not is the speed of the tram.

Like everyone else I hope Graham Polak makes a full recovery, but fair go!
Let's not string the trammie up without the full evidence. We don't have the details of how it came about.
Pedestrians have some obligation to look where they are running too, especially in the dark - trams have lights, pedestrians don't.