McGill released from hospital after I-26 car accident
Posted by The Skyliner on November 18th, 2009Paul Conner
Sports Editor
North Greenville midfielder Thomas McGill is recovering from injuries sustained during a car accident on Interstate 26 near Newberry, S.C., last Tuesday. McGill, freshman undecided, was immediately rushed to the hospital. He remained in intensive care until Friday and was released from the hospital on Saturday.
McGill experienced cerebral edema, or swelling in the brain. The edema has since been relieved, and he is currently recovering at his home in West Columbia, S.C. The news came as a shock to the men’s soccer team, which had recently wrapped up the 2009 regular season.
“The guys were very worried about him,” said North Greenville men’s soccer coach Chad Gfeller. “You get so close to any teammate, and you’re like brothers. It was a scary thing, and it’s been tough on them, but it’s been neat to see how the Lord has been in control the whole time.”
McGill has seen action as a substitute in one game this year, and doctors have told him that he will be unable to participate in athletic events for three to six months.
“In a way, I think it helped to bring us together this time of year,” Gfeller said. “We realized how fragile life is and how it doesn’t take much not to be out there playing.”
North Greenville (9-7-1) responded by defeating Chowan 5-1 in the play-in game of the NCCAA regional tournament. In the first half, goalkeeper Justin Braddock, freshman sport management, collided with a Chowan player and was carted off the field in an ambulance.
At the hospital, doctors determined that Braddock suffered a concussion and a broken nose. Surgery may be required to repair the broken nose, but Gfeller was optimistic about his recovery.
“He got hit in the face pretty good, but he should be okay,” Gfeller said. “The injuries are nothing too serious. They were just taking some precautions.”
Braddock is at home and will miss the regional tournament Friday and Saturday at Emmanuel College. If the Crusaders were to win the tournament and advance to nationals, Braddock would have a possibility of making the trip with the team.
Tags: Fall 2009, Vol. 109 - Issue 10