Former Adelaide Footballer Tony Modra Recovers After Devastating Crash
Former Adelaide football star Tony Modra has emerged from facial surgery in a serious but stable condition following a severe car crash. The incident occurred on Thursday evening when a substantial tree branch crashed through the windshield of the truck Modra was driving, causing significant facial injuries.
Modra underwent surgery on Friday and regained consciousness by Saturday afternoon, a development that brought immense relief to his family and fans.
Son’s Crucial Role in Rescue
Crucially, after being struck by the branch, Modra managed to steer the truck to a safe stop, preventing further danger. However, the immediate aftermath saw his 14-year-old son, Luke, play a pivotal role in ensuring his father’s survival. Reports indicate that Luke Modra contacted emergency services and utilized the ‘Find My iPhone’ application to help pinpoint his father’s location.
Tony Modra’s wife, Erica, shared details of their son’s quick thinking, emphasizing how the use of the Find My iPhone app was instrumental in locating her husband in the critical moments following the collision.
Tributes and Well Wishes Pour In
The news of Modra’s accident prompted an outpouring of support from various figures. Australian music star Guy Sebastian paid tribute to the Adelaide Crows icon, recalling a memorable on-field moment and expressing admiration for Modra’s resilience. Sebastian stated, “I’ll never forget the slowdown when I just sat there, I was in forward pocket and I watched you just sail past me thinking ‘that guy is a warrior. That warrior’s spirit, I’m sure is coming in very handy now, everyone loves you mate, you’re a legend, get well.” He further described Modra as “one of the best footballers to play the game” with “incredible energy” and an “aura about him, always smiling.”
Close friend Mark Ricciuto confirmed that Modra was awake and with his wife Erica and their children. “They just want to say thank you for all the well-wishes,” Ricciuto relayed. “He’s showing the grit everyone expected from Tony. The great news is there is growing optimism that he is going to recover, and recover well.” Ricciuto also shared a lighthearted anecdote from Erica Modra, who joked about the lasting effects of the accident on her husband’s appearance, anticipating “some scars.”
Extensive Surgery and Ongoing Recovery
It is understood that the 57-year-old’s surgery involved complex procedures to address injuries to his jaw, eye socket, and cheek sustained in the crash. Modra was transported to intensive care at Flinders Medical Centre following the incident, which occurred at Back Valley on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
The collision is believed to have happened when a tree or large branch fell onto Modra’s cattle truck as he was driving home to his farm near Waitpinga, approximately 10 kilometers west of Victor Harbor in South Australia. The area was experiencing strong winds at the time.
Fans of the sport also showed their support. During the Adelaide Crows’ match against the Demons at Adelaide Oval, spectators applauded at the six-minute mark, a gesture recognizing Modra, who wore the No. 6 guernsey. Adelaide Crows coach Matthew Nicks acknowledged the positive sentiment surrounding Modra’s recovery, stating, “We’re hearing positive thoughts, there’s a lot of positive news coming back. But we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.”
