Bradford Bulls' Adrian Purtell suffers suspected heart attack after heat of Manchester's Magic Weekend
A Rugby League player reportedly had a heart attack just hours after playing at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium during Magic Weekend 2012.
Australian-born Bradford Bulls centre Adrian Purtell, is recovering in Leeds General Infirmary after he complained of being unwell on the team bus back from Manchester on Sunday, after playing Leeds Rhinos in the heat.
However, the 27-year-old’s mother, Fran Purtell, told an Australian paper that she believed her son had had a heart attack
She said: “Adrian had a heart attack.
"He had a blockage to one of the main arteries to the heart but he's OK. He's in Leeds hospital and is in good care. It was very frightening this morning for everyone.
She added: "He knew something was wrong and 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 OK. His heart didn't stop beating at that stage."
The Bulls revealed this morning that Purtell complained of feeling unwell on the journey back from Manchester and that the bus stopped twice for the doctor to treat him, but refused to confirm thye nature of his condition.
Bradford football manager Stuart Duffy, who was on the team bus, said: "Adrian's condition was giving cause for concern and the club doctor, Donald Young, advised that he should be taken to hospital immediately.
"The bus went to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary where Adrian was detained and he was later transferred to the Leeds General Infirmary where he spent the night.
"Our thoughts are with Adrian at this time."
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Purtell is in his first season in Super League, having joined Bradford on a three-year deal from Penrith Panthers last November.
He has been ordered to spend a minimum five days in hospital and, although a hospital spokesperson declined to make any comment, he is believed to be in a stable condition.
His health scare comes just two months after Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest during a match at Tottenham.
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