Brumbies player Mackay dies

Sydney - Brumbies Super 14 rugby forward Shawn Mackay has died in a Durban hospital from injuries he received after being hit by a vehicle, team officials said on Monday.

Mackay, 26, died at about 03:00, having gone into cardiac arrest, a Brumbies spokesperson said.

Mackay had been in hospital, critically ill with multiple injuries, since March 29 when he was hit by an armed response car in a Durban street while on the Brumbies' tour of South Africa.

Team officials said Mackay had shown some positive signs after being brought out of a medically induced coma late last week and underwent surgery.

"After his surgery Shawn contracted an infection in his bloodstream," said the Brumbies' chief executive, Andrew Fagan.

"He deteriorated rapidly and suffered a cardiac arrest from which he didn't recover. It's devastating news for his family and for all of the Brumbies community. Our thoughts and those of the players are with his family at this most difficult time."

Mackay had been admitted to St Augustine's Hospital in Durban with a cervical spinal fracture and dislocation, a fractured skull as well as a broken leg and multiple facial fractures after being struck by the vehicle.

The incident occurred about 04:15 local time when Mackay and several Brumbies' teammates were leaving a nightclub, after their Super 14 loss to the Coastal Sharks the previous evening.

Mackay, a 1.96m lock forward, had been a regular on the international Rugby Sevens circuit for five years and had made six Super 14 appearances for the Waratahs before switching to the Brumbies.

Mackay's parents and girlfriend flew to South Africa last week to be by his side.

The Brumbies were returning to Australia on Monday after completing their three-match trip to South Africa with a win over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last Saturday.