Sporting tragedies: F1 great Ayrton Senna to cricketer Phillip Hughes

Australian batsman Phillip Hughes died Thursday from a head injury after a sickening on-field blow in one of the highest-profile sporting fatalities since the death of Formula One great Ayrton Senna.

The death was one of the most prominent in sporting circles since Senna was killed in a crash at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994.

Senna's demise, which prompted a leap in safety standards in Formula One, remains one of sport's most haunting casualties in competition along with Cameroonian footballer Marc-Vivien Foe, who collapsed on the pitch and died during the 2003 Confederations Cup in France.

Hughes, who was due to celebrate his 26th birthday this weekend, never regained consciousness after being hit on the base of his skull by a rising ball as he batted for South Australia against New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

A special video tribute to Phillip Hughes, put together by @AC_Goldie. #PhillipHughes408 https://t.co/DtonutiEss

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 27, 2014

"It is my sad duty to inform you that a short time ago Phillip Hughes passed away," Australian team doctor Peter Brukner said in a statement.

"He never regained consciousness following his injury on Tuesday. He was not in pain before he passed and was surrounded by his family and close friends."

Hughes, who played 26 Tests, crumbled to the ground unconscious after the blow despite wearing a helmet. He underwent emergency surgery in hospital to relieve pressure on his brain and had been in an induced coma since.

Reports said he suffered a fractured skull and catastrophic bleeding in his brain.

His tragic death was one of the highest-profile sporting casualties since Senna was killed in an accident while leading the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994.

More recently, 20-year-old NASCAR driver Kevin Ward Jr. died after being struck on the track in August in New York state.

Test stars Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith were among a stream of personalities from the world of cricket who visited Hughes' bedside, hoping for the best, with emotions running high.

An inconsolable Australia captain Michael Clarke was an almost constant presence at his close friend's side at St Vincent's Hospital.

News of his death broke just before long-time teammate Warner and his wife left the hospital in tears. Dozens more players were hugging and crying into each other's shoulders as they walked out minutes later.

"RIP you little champ, we are all going to miss you ! Love, prayers to all the Hughes family xxxx," tweeted national coach Darren Lehmann

Prime Minister Tony Abbott led the tributes.

"Phillip Hughes was a young man living out his dreams. His death is a very sad day for cricket and a heartbreaking day for his family," he said.

"What happened has touched millions of Australians. For a young life to be cut short playing our national game seems a shocking aberration."

Cricket NSW chairman John Warn and chief executive Andrew Jones said they were stunned, saying the grief would be felt around the world.

"Phillip touched so many people playing for NSW, Australia, South Australia, county cricket in England and the IPL in India," they said.

Hughes made his Test debut in South Africa in 2009 where he made 75 in the second innings at Johannesburg. The left-hander followed up in the second Test at Durban with centuries in both innings, amassing some 275 runs at the crease.

The runs dried up and despite playing 26 Tests he never secured a regular place in the national team, partly due to his perceived weakness against the short, rising ball.

But with doubts over the fitness of Clarke for the first Test against India next week in Brisbane, he was seen as a potential replacement.

That Test is now in doubt with many of those due to take part close friends of Hughes who will struggle to focus.

His death came as questions were raised about a delay in the response after the initial emergency call for help was made.

Sydney Cricket Ground officials said a call was made six minutes after the batsman collapsed at 2:23pm, but the ambulance did not arrive until 2:52pm. A helicopter and another ambulance were also dispatched.

While waiting, Hughes was given CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation by NSW team doctor John Orchard before being rushed to hospital for scans and surgery.

Deaths caused from on-field incidents

* 2014 - Phillip Hughes (Australia, 25) - The Australia batsman was stuck on the neck by a short-pitched delivery while batting in a domestic match.
Hughes was treated by the boundary before being rushed to hospital, where he died after two days.

* 2013 - Darryn Randall (South Africa, 32) - The wicketkeeper-batsman was stuck on the side of the head while attempting a pull shot during a domestic match in South Africa.
He collapsed at the crease and was rushed to a hospital but could not be revived.

* 2013 - Zulfiqar Bhatti (Pakistan, 22) - The youngster was stuck on his chest and collapsed to the ground while batting during a club game in Sukkur, a district in Pakistan's Sindh province.
He was taken to the hospital but pronounced dead on arrival.

* 2012 - Richard Beaumont (England, 33) - The fast bowler collapsed and died from a suspected heart attack shortly after taking five wickets in a club match.

Beaumont was airlifted to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth but pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.

* 2006 - Wasim Raja (Pakistan, 54) - The former Pakistan batsman, who was later an ICC match referee, died while playing for Surrey Over 50s at Marlow in Buckinghamshire.

He suffered a heart attack and collapsed on the field.

* 2009 - Alcwyn Jenkins (England, 72) - The umpire was struck on the head by a throw from one of the fielders while officiating in a league match in Swansea.
He was airlifted to a hospital but failed to recover.

* 1993 - Ian Folley (England, 30) - The left-arm spin bowler was hit under the eye trying to play a hook shot in a domestic match.

He later suffered a heart attack while under anaesthetic in  hospital.

* 1998 - Raman Lamba (India, 38) - The former India opener suffered brain injuries after being hit on the head while fielding at short-leg during a club match in Dhaka.

* 1989 - Wilf Slack (England, 34) - The Middlesex and England left-handed opener suddenly collapsed and died while batting in Banjul, capital of The Gambia.

He had suffered four blackouts on the field in the past but tests failed to ascertain the cause of his death.

* 1959 - Abdul Aziz (Pakistan, 18) - The wicketkeeper collapsed while batting after being hit in the chest in a domestic match in Karachi.

He was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

* 1942 - Andy Ducat (England, 56) - The batsman, who played one test for England, collapsed and died of a heart attack during a game at Lord's.

* 1870 - George Summers (England, 25) - Summers died from a blow on the head while batting for Nottinghamshire against the MCC at Lord's.

He died a few days later due to the injury.  

 

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