Rugby:Tackle Breaks Players’s Neck

*Help comes

NEWCASTLE Knights have confirmed Alex McKinnon has a C4 and C5 vertebrae fracture but that his spinal cord is not severed.

McKinnon was stretchered from the field in a neck brace after landing on his head in an awkward tackle by

Melbourne forwards Jesse Bromwich, his brother Kenny and Jordan McLean.

The tackle, which happened 30 seconds from halftime of last night’s 

 NRL clash, was put on report by referee Gerard Sutton.

“Scan results for Alex McKinnon confirm a fracture at C4 and C5,” the Knights release said.

“His spinal cord is not severed but the doctors are unsure about the level of spinal cord compromise.

“It will be a number of days or weeks until the extent of his injury is known.

“Alex’s family have now arrived in Melbourne and are with him, along with club doctor Peter McGeoch and club officials.

“When there is additional information, an update will be provided.

“We ask that any reporting of this delicate matter be handled with respect to Alex and his family.’’

Knights coach Wayne Bennett said: “Unfortunately these things happen but not too often thank Christ.

“We won’t know for a number of days, maybe weeks.

“He’s in the right place and we’ve done all we can for him.”

Speaking after the match, Knights skipper Kurt Gidley said every player was concerned about the welfare of McKinnon.

“I was on the sideline (when it happened) and it’s always quite concerning when a teammate stays down like that,” he said.

“He is a really good fella and a good teammate of ours.”

*Doctors take control: NewsCorp Australia