Premier Daniel Andrews will remain in intensive care for “the next few days” after breaking several ribs and sustaining vertebrae damage in a fall on Tuesday morning.
Mr Andrews released a statement on Tuesday afternoon updating his condition after his office had earlier confirmed the Premier had suffered a “nasty fall” at home while getting ready for work.
Mr Andrews said he was admitted to hospital after “slipping and falling on wet and slippery stairs”.
He said a CT scan had revealed a number of broken ribs and “vertebrae damage” and he would now remain in intensive care for the next “few days”.
“Cath, the kids and I are extremely grateful to the Ambulance Victoria paramedics who showed such care and kindness to our family this morning, as we are to the clinicians who have taken care of me today,” he said.
Mr Andrews said he hoped to provide more information later this week and that Deputy Premier James Merlino would serve as Acting Premier in the meantime.
Statement from Premier Daniel Andrews
Early this morning, I was admitted to hospital after slipping and falling on wet and slippery stairs. A CT scan has revealed several broken ribs and vertebrae damage, and subsequent medical advice has recommended I remain in intensive care for the next few days.
Cath, the kids and I are extremely grateful to the Ambulance Victoria paramedics who showed such care and kindness to our family this morning, as we are to the clinicians who have taken care of me today.
Our warm and sincere thanks go to the many family members, friends, colleagues and Victorians who have sent messages of love and support throughout the day. Thank you.
I hope to be able to provide another update later this week. James Merlino will serve as Acting Premier while I recover over the next few days. For now, we’d like to ask that our family’s privacy is respected.
Mr Merlino replaced Mr Andrews at the announcement of an inquiry in Indigenous disadvantage on Tuesday morning.
Mr Merlino acknowledged Mr Andrews’ absence at the start of the press conference and said the Premier had suffered a “nasty fall” at home.
“As you all know, he took a fall this morning as he was preparing for work. He’s in hospital as a precaution, getting some precautionary X-rays,” Mr Merlino said.
“No head injuries, he’s fine and he’ll be back on his feet very shortly.”
Mr Merlino said he could not advise exactly when the Premier would return to work “but I know he’s fine and he’s getting some good care as a precaution”.
“I don’t know the circumstances of the fall, I just know he had a nasty fall as he was getting ready for work,” the Deputy Premier said.
“As you all know, he took a fall this morning as he was preparing for work. He’s in hospital as a precaution, getting some precautionary X-rays,” Mr Merlino said.
“No head injuries, he’s fine and he’ll be back on his feet very shortly.”
Mr Merlino said he could not advise exactly when the Premier would return to work “but I know he’s fine and he’s getting some good care as a precaution”.
“I don’t know the circumstances of the fall, I just know he had a nasty fall as he was getting ready for work,” the Deputy Premier said.
Before Mr Andrews released his statement, Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien said he hoped the injury was no serious and wished the Premier a “speedy recovery”.
SOURCE: theage.com.au
