ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Friday Mar 29, 2019

Player suffers horrific injury as boot slices through his scalp

A Randalstown Rugby Club flanker suffered a horrific head injury this week, leading to him stopping with rugby immediately and urging all other rugby players to consider the benefits of using head gear when playing. WARNING: The following images are graphic so please be warned and click away now if you’d rather not see an open head wound. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Just ten minutes into a vital Kukri Championship 2 league game against Clogher Valley on Tuesday, Randalstown flanker Kyle Hetherington says he got into an awkward position in a tackle and the opposition player’s boot sliced right down the side of his head.

“I put my hand on my head then I started going into shock a bit… I can remember the screams to stop the game from the opposition players,” 27-year-old Kyle told us.

The boot sliced through his scalp, causing immediate concern on the field. He says he lost a huge amount of blood and nearly passed out a few times.

Kyle Hetherington head injury

After being treated, he had received 20 staples, 4 stitches beneath the surface, and 4 stitches over. He also had paper stitches on his eyebrow.

Hetherington says that he has decided to retire from rugby, after having now permanantly lost feeling in that part of his skull.

ADVERTISEMENT

“It scared the shit out of me to be honest. I literally thought I was going to die every time I almost passed out because of the amount of blood I lost! I was very unwell at the time. And the fact that I have lost feeling in my head has freaked me out.”

Kyle Hetherinton head injury after

While he says that he doesn’t know if the other player was using blades or had metal studs on his boots, he now strongly advises players to consider using scrum caps.

“I am now an advocate for scrum caps. I think the way it happened, any stud or blade could have done that damage. I think its important to see why head gear is important. I had never seen the importance, now im trying to get everyone to wear one. With a scrum cap this wouldn’t have happened.”

ADVERTISEMENT

On hanging up his boots, he said he’s not upset but disappointed that he didn’t go out on his own terms.

“I always knew it would be a major injury that would finish me. I have had broken noses, wrists and thumbs this past year alone, and I keep coming back.

“I still love the sport and always will. I’ll be down watching tomorrow and next Wednesday night to see the season close and I’ll do the same next year. My mind is made up but would love to get into coaching.”

We wish Kyle all the best with his recovery!

Related Articles

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Brilliant footage shows old school...

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...

  • 45 WEEKS AGO

    Jokester has field day with Chris Latham's...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Jack Crowley drops the ball on dime for brilliant Munster try in URC Final

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    WATCH: World class offload from James O’Connor Leads To Long Range Reds Try

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Leinster up and running with two incredible tries inside the first five minutes

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Chiefs Score The “Best Team Try” In Super Rugby History

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    La Rochelle centre Seuteni produces other worldly offload in dominant victory

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Watch: Cheslin Kolbe Dominates Sebastian Cancelliere with back-to-back big tackles

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Ben Curry's World Cup hopes dashed as he becomes the latest victim of the crocodile roll

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Australian rugby player banned for 5 years after assaulting referee

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Anthony Watson comes within seconds of a Tuilagi haymaker

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    South African Panel Debate Apparent ‘Clean Cut’ Red Card In Interesting Debate

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 4 HOURS AGO

    Barbarians Vs World XV highlights

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Silly Skill From Toulouse Fullback Highlights French Confidence

  • 14 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea Moment Of Magic In Super Rugby Aotearoa

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    'Armchair athletes' berate Arundell's seriously impressive bench press

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Worcester Warriors - The End

View All

Funnies

  • 6 HOURS AGO

    Munster Rugby loving life in Cape Town Following URC Final Victory

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: La Rochelle Players Gate Crash O’Gara Interview

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: Stade Rochelais Coaches With All-Time Coaches Box Celebration

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Stephen Jones’s deleted rugby 7s article leads to hilarious wikipedia update

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: DHL Stormers Celebrate Munster Victory In Style

View All

Amateur

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    John Afoa breaks record on return to Super Rugby

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Harry Potter to ‘disapparate’ to Australia

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Steve Hansen makes statement following Folau selection

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    O'Gara gives honest response on Ireland job in passionate interview

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Australian rugby player banned for 5 years after assaulting referee

View All