The condition of injured Sapa news agency sports journalist Larry Lombaard was described on Saturday as ”still serious, but stable”.
”We’ve been in to see him at intensive care and although his condition is still serious, he’s stable now and looking a bit better,” a family member said.
Lombaard (52) was found severely injured on a Johannesburg street early on Friday morning and admitted to Linskfield Clinic where emergency surgery was carried out.
Among his injuries were a skull fracture, broken ribs and other bone fractures.
”He’s still obviously heavily sedated and they’ll keep him that way for a few days so we’re waiting until then to hear more,” the family member said.
The circumstances of Lombaard’s injuries — whether it was a hit-and-run car accident or if he was attacked remained unknown on Saturday.
Police are still investigating.
”The main thing as far as we are concerned at the moment is that he’s alive and fighting back — we’re very hopeful,” Sapa editor Mark van der Velden said.
The news agency has received dozens of e-mails and calls from concerned fellow journalists, friends and sports personalities — from as far away as Australia — wishing Lombaard a speedy recovery.
”We are keeping notes of these for Larry to read,” Van der Velden added. – Sapa