Canberra United’s Chinese Taipei international Tseng Shu-O was lucky to escape serious injury and death after being hit by a very large branch from a falling tree whilst attending a team BBQ in Belconnen last night (Tuesday).
Canberra United’s Chinese Taipei international Tseng Shu-O was lucky to escape serious injury and death after being hit by a very large branch from a falling tree whilst attending a team BBQ in Belconnen last night (Tuesday).
Tseng was struck on the arm and back by the tree and several other United players were fortunate not to be caught up in the incident that occurred at approximately 18:30 as members of the squad were gathered at reserve goalkeeper Jocelyn Mara’s shared accommodation to celebrate her birthday.
Tseng, who is in her second spell with Canberra and has become a firm favourite amongst her peers as well as the United supporters due to her amiable personality and distinctive coloured hair, was kept in hospital overnight with x-rays and medical examinations fortunately revealing that there were no broken bones or serious injuries attained but she has major soft tissue damage and soreness.
United co-captain Ellie Brush and experienced Matilda’s international Caitlin Munoz spent many hours with their stricken colleague in Canberra hospital as did Ting Kai Hsieh, a friend of Tseng-s, who is currently competing for the ACT Colts team in the FFA Futsal National Championships at the AIS Arena in Canberra.
Canberra United CEO praised the United players for their response to the situation and their calmness under pressure.
“An incident such as this shows just how close the team are,” Reid commented. “Both Ellie (Brush) and Caitlin (Munoz) spent hours with Tseng in hospital until early this morning to help her as she was obviously in shock and pain. Fortunately for Tseng and the club, she escaped with minor injuries when it could have been a major incident. In that respect she is a very lucky young woman, but will probably miss Saturday’s clash with Newcastle Jets at Deakin Stadium.”
