Severely injured South African Press Association (Sapa) sports journalist Larry Lombaard’s condition was described on Wednesday as ”unchanged, still serious but stable”, five days after he was admitted to a Johannesburg hospital.
A passer-by found Lombaard semi-conscious on an Observatory street early last Friday. He was rushed to the Linksfield clinic with multiple injuries, including a fractured skull, broken ribs and other fractures.
After emergency surgery, Lombaard was admitted to the clinic’s intensive-care unit, where only very close family members have been allowed to see him.
”His condition is the same as yesterday and the day before: serious but stable,” a family member told Sapa on Wednesday.
Police are still looking into whether he was hit by a car, or attacked.
Sapa editor Mark van der Velden said the news agency has received scores of messages of concern and good wishes for Lombaard’s speedy recovery.
Journalists, friends, sports bodies and sporting personalities from all over South Africa have sent messages.
Messages have also come in from as far afield as Australia and Canada.
Springbok rugby coach Jake White was the guest speaker at the annual SAB Sports Journalist Awards on Tuesday night, and prefaced his remarks with a special mention of Lombaard.
”He is in all of our thoughts … keep fighting, Larry,” he said.
Van der Velden said the messages of support are deeply appreciated. They are being collected and will be given to a family member to read out to Lombaard soon, even though he is still heavily sedated. – Sapa