AFL great Tony Modra is awake with his family in hospital and is expected to “recover well” just 48 hours after a devastating cattle truck crash.
Modra was taken to hospital in a critical condition on Thursday night after a tree fell onto the vehicle he was driving, leaving the 57-year-old with serious injuries.
Tony Modra was involved in a truck crash on Thursday night. Getty/SA Police
The former Crows star underwent facial surgery on Friday and reports from 9News Adelaide revealed that Modra is no longer critical.
“Tony Modra is awake and has been with his wife and children this afternoon and the family thanked the public for the overwhelming support they’ve received,” Nine’s Samantha Hogan said on Saturday.
“SA Health have confirmed he is now stable and no longer in a critical condition.
“The 57-year-old underwent extensive facial surgery last night and we’ve been told there’s promising signs that he’s expected to recover well.
“It’s a remarkable turnaround, with many having grave fears for his survival after a tree fell into the path of a cattle truck he was driving.”
Modra’s former side produced a stirring 79-62 win over the Melbourne Demons as a tribute to the two-time All Australian.
Former teammate Mark Ricciuto heaped praise on the cult hero’s toughness.
“He’s showing the grit that we expected from Tony,” he said on Fox Footy.
“He had a really long day yesterday in surgery … fixed up his jaw and cheekbone and eye socket, trying to get it all back together.”
Modra kicked 700 goals in his 199 appearances across stints with West Adelaide, Adelaide and Fremantle, before retiring in 2001.