Former AFL Star Tony Modra Seriously Injured in Crash

A freak accident on a rural South Australian road has left the former Adelaide Crows and Fremantle Dockers great fighting for his life, but he is now expected to recover.

The Incident

On Thursday, May 22, at approximately 5:15 PM, former Australian rules footballer Tony Modra, 57, was involved in a single-vehicle truck crash on Range Road in Back Valley, approximately 10 kilometers west of Victor Harbor, South Australia.

According to South Australia Police, the truck he was driving hit a tree. Reports indicate a tree branch fell through the truck's windshield.

Modra was the sole occupant of the vehicle. He was airlifted to Flinders Medical Centre with serious injuries, primarily to his face, including his jaw, cheekbone, and eye socket. He underwent facial surgery on Friday, May 23.

Medical Status

As of Saturday, May 25, former teammate and friend Mark Ricciuto reported that Modra had been released from the intensive care unit. SA Health confirmed he is awake and stable, and is expected to recover well.

Ricciuto stated that Modra has no concussion or brain injury and remembers the incident. Additional surgery is scheduled.

Emergency Response

A 78-year-old local resident, Linda Cameron, discovered the crash and provided first aid to Modra until emergency services arrived. Modra's family confirmed that three passers-by provided first aid and comfort at the scene.

The family also noted that their son Luke helped coordinate the emergency response, and their daughter Hayley was the first to arrive at the hospital.

Modra's wife, Erica, thanked first responders for their actions in a statement read on Triple M Adelaide radio.

Public Statements

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas commented on the incident. Former teammates and figures from the AFL community, including Mark Ricciuto, Adelaide Crows player Tex Walker, and Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir, also expressed their well-wishes.

Community Support

During an AFL match between the Adelaide Crows and Melbourne on May 24, fans applauded in the sixth minute, referencing Modra's former jersey number 6. Adelaide won the match by 17 points.

Modra released an audio message from his hospital bed, thanking fans for their support and medical professionals for their care. He was reported to be looking forward to watching the upcoming Showdown match.

Traffic Details

Traffic restrictions were in place on Range Road for several hours following the crash. The road has since fully re-opened.

Background

Tony Modra is a retired professional Australian rules footballer. He played 165 AFL games for the Adelaide Crows (from 1992 to 1997) and the Fremantle Dockers (from 1998 to 2001), kicking a total of 558 goals.

He was Adelaide's leading goalkicker for five consecutive seasons, won the Coleman Medal in 1997, and was named All-Australian twice. Modra won the AFL Mark of the Year award three times.

He missed the 1997 AFL Grand Final due to a knee injury suffered in the preliminary final. After retiring from professional football, he returned to South Australia to work on a cattle farm.

Family Statement

Modra's family released a statement thanking the community for support, describing the crash as a "freak accident." They requested privacy to focus on Modra's care and recovery, with future updates to be provided via the Adelaide Football Club.