'Sad news': AFL world rallies around Royce Hart after serious accident
The AFL community is rallying around Royce Hart after the Richmond Tigers legend was involved in a serious car accident in Hobart on Sunday.
Hart is currently in hospital in Hobart after he was injured in a head-on collision that also resulted in two other people being injured.
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The incident occurred on the East Derwent Highway near Risdon Cove on Hobart's eastern shore.
The 73-year-old Hart, a two-time VFL premiership captain, was reportedly set to undergo surgery on a broken arm.
A Tasmania Police report said the accident occurred at 11.15am on Sunday.
"A blue Nissan Dualis was travelling east on the East Derwent Highway ... when it collided head on with a blue MG hatch being driven in the opposite direction," the report said.
"The driver of the Nissan, a 73-year-old man from Oakdowns, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
"The driver of the MG hatch, a 77-year-old man from Bellerive and his passenger, a 74-year-old woman also from Bellerive, were also transported to hospital with serious injuries.
"Crash Investigation Services attended and are investigating the cause of the crash."
AFL world rallies around Royce Hart after crash
Richmond CEO Brendan Gale led the AFL world in sending well wishes to Hart.
"As a @Richmond_FC Immortal, Royce Hart is a giant in the rich history of our club," Gale wrote on Twitter.
"On behalf of the entire club and our hundreds of thousands of members and fans, I wish Royce a full and speedy recovery.
"May he be back on his feet soon."
As a @Richmond_FC Immortal, Royce Hart is a giant in the rich history of our club. On behalf of the entire club and our hundreds of thousand of members and fans, I wish Royce a full and speedy recovery. May he be back on his feet soon. https://t.co/0XCwtvE87h
— Brendon Gale (@brendongale25) March 1, 2021
Richmond's official Twitter account tweeted: "Richmond extends its very best wishes to former champion centre half-forward, four-time premiership hero, and one of the game’s all-time greats, Royce Hart, who is in hospital following a serious car accident in Hobart."
Fans and commentators also sent their regards on social media.
My thoughts are with Tasmanian football icon Royce Hart and the two other people that were also seriously injured in a head on collision just outside of Hobart yesterday.
Everything crossed for a speedy recovery.— Brent Costelloe (@brentcostelloe) March 1, 2021
Sad news, The AFL community will all be hoping he recovers and can resume retirement. :(
— Harry Miller (@a_gullible_fwit) March 1, 2021
Awful news 😔
— Robyn Vaux (@RV_27) March 1, 2021
Hope Royce Hart is okay & has a good recovery.
— Hezza (@Hezza7) March 1, 2021
Quite distressed that Tiger legend Royce Hart was hurt in a head on road accident in his home town Hobart. He is a wonderful person who on his last day before returning to Tassie sought me out to say thanks for anything I had done during his star studded career. One of a kind.
— keep punching (@ScotPalmer) March 1, 2021
Royce Hart is Richmond royalty. 🐯
Wishing him and the others involved a speedy recovery.#AFL #GoTigeshttps://t.co/nhrmrXYBR3— Cheryl Critchley (@CherylCritchley) March 1, 2021
Hoping it is not too bad. Royce Hart is a legend of the game.
— Dan (@Trismegistos4) March 1, 2021
Hart was recruited by Richmond as a teenager from Tasmanian club Clarence.
He played 187 games for the Tigers, kicking 369 goals, and starred in four VFL premierships.
Hart was named at centre half-forward in the AFL Team of the Century and inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996.
with AAP
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