Breaking news Bradford Bulls star Adrian Purtell suffered 'heart attack'
7:00am Tuesday 29th May 2012 in Bulls By Ross Heppenstall
Bulls star Adrian Purtell could be fighting for his career after suffering what his mother has described as a “heart attack” following Sunday’s Magic Weekend clash with Leeds.
The Australian centre was described by Mick Potter as “looking as well as he has ever looked” after being visited by the Bulls coach at Leeds General Infirmary yesterday.
But the popular 27-year-old, who arrived at Bradford from Penrith Panthers on a three-year deal during the winter, remains in LGI and is understood to be undergoing further tests.
He was admitted to hospital on Sunday evening after complaining of chest pains during his post-match meal at the Etihad Stadium.
The pains got progressively worse during the journey back to Bradford and team coach stopped twice on the way for club doctor Donald Young to initiate medical proceedings, including the fitting of a drip.
The coach detoured to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary in order for Purtell to be assessed before he was later transferred to Leeds General Infirmary, where he remains.
It is not yet known when he might be considered fit to return to action.
Purtell’s mother Fran is heading to England to visit her son – who missed a large chunk of the 2007 season with Canberra Raiders in the NRL due to deep vein thrombosis.
She told The Border Mail in Australia: “Adrian had a heart attack. He had a blockage to one of the main arteries to the heart but he’s okay. He’s in Leeds hospital and is in good care.
“It was very frightening this morning for everyone.”
The Bulls would neither confirm nor deny Purtell had suffered a heart attack.
Potter told the T&A: “He’s looking as well as he’s ever looked.
“His colour is back, he’s sitting up and his sense of humour was there.
“He was perky but he’s got to stay in hospital for the next few days while they run some tests.
“We hope they’re all going to be clear and that he gets back to playing rugby league.”
Asked if her son would play again, Purtell’s mother said: “I don’t know. He knew something was wrong.
“He said he had a sore chest a few weeks ago and was keeping an eye on it.
“He knew that something was amiss.
“It was hurting on the bus like it had been. The news for now is that he’s okay.
“His heart didn’t stop beating at that stage. If he’s allowed to go home he will.”
Meanwhile, Craig Kopczak (ankle), Matt Diskin (shoulder) and Chev Walker (ribs) were set to undergo scans yesterday on the injuries they sustained against Leeds.
The Bulls have named a young squad for the first round of RL Nines competition at Featherstone Rovers tonight.
The squad includes scrum half Cain Southernwood, whose season-long loan with Dewsbury has now been cancelled and changed into a dual registration.
Also included is Callum Windley, who made his debut in the Challenge Cup victory against Doncaster.
Bulls squad: Curtis Naughton, Kane Feltham-Stout, Sam Wood, Jarrod Ward, Jay Rossi, Jordan Aitchinson, Cain Southernwood, Jack Cockerham, Callum Windley, Liam Darville, Kyle Williamson, George Marchant, Emmerson Whittle.
