Bishops coach off ventilator after home attack

Cape Town - Richard Smith, the First XV coach of Bishops, remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Vincent Pallotti Hospital in Cape Town, after burglars stabbed him in the back of the head with a screwdriver last Tuesday morning.

However, according to reports, he is off sedation and the ventilator and is breathing on his own.

Smith is also able to communicate to some degree non-verbally with hospital staff and family.

Smith's neurologist confirmed he has responded well to treatment to date and that his strength and fitness will stand him in good stead.

However, Smith has sustained a neurological injury and he faces a prolonged period of hospitalisation and rehabilitation.

Burglars broke into the Smiths house in Claremont at 02:30, attacked him and tied him up. His wife, Nina, who was sleeping in their infant son Sebastian's room, was also tied up when she went to investigate what was causing the noise in their main bedroom, Netwerk24 reported.

The couple also have a six-year-old daughter Lara who was also held captive.

After the robbers fled, Nina phoned for help. The robbers fled with the couple’s cellphones, laptops and wallets.

No arrests have been made, police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed.

Anyone with information can phone Constable Mkhuseli Ngqiyana at (021) 658 2266.