Former Australian cricketer Ryan Campbell is in intensive care after suffering a heart attack while at a playground with his kids.
The 50-year-old collapsed over the weekend while out with his children and is currently in a London hospital being treated. The former ODI wicketkeeper has coached the Netherlands cricket team since April 2017.
The horrific news about Campbell’s heart attack was shared by 6PR Breakfast host Gareth Parker, who is a close friend of Campbell. The pair had spent time together recently when Campbell had returned home to Perth.
“WA Cricket is in shock to hear of Ryan’s medical emergency after suffering a major heart attack over the long weekend,” Western Australian Cricket Association boss Christina Matthews said in a statement.
“On behalf of all WA Cricket staff, players and the wider cricket community, I would like to pass on our heartfelt thoughts to Ryan, his wife Leontina and their family at this time.
“We know he is in the best care, and hope he pulls through and is able to make a full and speedy recovery.”
Campbell - who was described by Parker as “fit as a fiddle” - enjoyed an excellent 98-game first-class career between 1994 and 2006. He had played two ODIs for Australia in 2002 and he was a mainstay for WA Cricket.
In 2016 he had also played for Hong Kong during the Twenty20 World Cup at the age of 44. His incident comes just shortly after the tragic passing of legendary Australian star Shane Warne, who was also a former team-mate of Campbell.
Warne suffered a fatal heart attack on the Thai Island of Koh Sumai in March at the age of 52. Last month he was given a fitting farewell as his state funeral took place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Millions tuned in to pay their respects from around the globe after Warne’s death was followed by an outpouring of grief and tributes. Another Australian cricket legend, Rod Marsh, had also died aged 74 of a heart attack less than 24 hours before Warne tragically passed away.
