Rhys Palmer's lucky escape amid 'significant trauma' from crash

Former AFL player Rhys Palmer escaped his serious motorbike accident with no head or spinal injuries, WAFL club Swan Districts have confirmed.

The 30-year-old and a female passenger, believed to be his partner, were hit by a car in Perth on Saturday night.

Palmer has undergone multiple rounds of surgery and lost his spleen.

Districts, where he was expected to play football this year, said on Monday that Palmer is providing “limited but positive” responses.

“Although he has damage to his liver, it’s understood that this is expected to make a full recovery,” a statement read.

“Rhys has been in and out of an induced coma, which is helping his body recover from the significant trauma.

“He has been able to provide a limited but positive response to his father.”

Districts chief executive Jeff Dennis said a witness to the accident called the club to share what they had seen.

“Immediately after the accident Rhys was more concerned for everyone else rather than himself asking if everyone was alright,” Dennis said.

“This is testament to his character.”

His partner suffered no major injuries in the collision, which occurred when a Mitsubishi Lancer turned into Palmer’s Yamaha motorbike.

‘Prepared us for the worst’

News of Palmer’s condition comes after his family said they were in the dark over the extent of his injuries.

“He made it through the first round of surgery and has got to this morning but even if he survives his physical injuries, there is his brain injury,” half-sister Kate Gallin reportedly wrote on Facebook on Sunday.

“How much damage has been done we don’t know yet and if he will ever have quality of life again.”

“Rhys is a beautiful, 30yo boy who has a lot of people who love him and he doesn’t deserve to die today.”

Gallin reportedly said doctors had “prepared us for the worst”.

Palmer played 132 games for Fremantle, GWS and Carlton, and won the 2008 Rising Star award.

He played his last AFL game in 2017.