A RUGBY player seriously injured in a collision on the A19 has “a heart the size of an ox”, a club member has said.

Shaun Austerfield, centre and fly-half with Selby RUFC, was walking home from a night out in York when he was hit by a Land Rover on the A19.

As reported in The Press yesterday, he was rushed to hospital and sedated for three days after suffering serious head and chest injuries, a collapsed lung, and severe damage to his left knee.

On Boxing Day, Shaun was taken off sedatives and rushed into a four-hour operation, because he could not feel his leg below his damaged knee, and parts of his calf muscle had started to die. Shaun’s father, Philip Austerfield, said doctors told him his leg may have to be amputated.

Tony Townend, chairman of rugby for Selby RUFC, said: “We understand there are still a few problems with Shaun’s knee, but we are all keeping our fingers crossed and remaining hopeful about it.”

Last year, Shaun underwent surgery on his right knee, and was worried it might end a career which saw him play rugby league for York Wasps, Selby Warriors and Heworth, and rugby union for Selby.

But he returned to the game in January 2009, playing for Selby as recently as October. He had also recently started working as a coach with the team.

Mr Townend said: “His speed of brain and vision at our level is above the vast majority of people he plays against, making him a very effective centre.

“We pick the games we play him for, and use him sparingly, but he’s got the heart the size of an ox. If you tell him you need him, he’ll be there.”

About 100 to 150 players and spectators attended the club’s annual Boxing Day event, despite the match being cancelled, to find out the latest on Shaun’s condition.

Mr Townend said: “It was absolutely overwhelming how many people came to the social event instead of the game, to find out Shaun was.”

Mr Austerfield said the next 48 hours would be crucial for Shaun, and could decide whether his leg can be saved.