It could have been fatal: Craig Hall recovers from freak injury

Craig Hall has been told that a freak throat injury at the weekend could have been life-threatening had he ignored advice to seek hospital treatment.

The Featherstone star spent a night at Pinderfields Hospital this week after damaging neck cartilage in Sunday’s win over Whitehaven that sent Sean Long’s side top of the Championship.

Days later the injury had caused bleeding, leading to a blood clot around the voice box, blocking the 35-year old’s airwaves.

“If stuff hadn’t been done then it could have been fatal,” a shocked Hall admitted.

“It was a freak injury. Gaz (Gareth Gale) scored and as I went over to congratulate him his shoulder blade went into my throat.

“I carried on with the game but after the game I couldn’t speak. It took a bit of a turn on Wednesday when the physio said it was best to go and get it checked out.

“I went to Pinderfields hospital and got really looked after. Thank you to the NHS. I ended up staying the full night with x-rays, CT scans, cameras down the throat, I can’t thank them enough.

“When a doctor tells you something could be life-threatening it knocks you back a little.”

Craig Hall is set for a spell on the sidelines after a freak injury to the throat that happened while celebrating a try in last Sunday's game. 🤕

A massive thank you to the excellent doctors and nurses at Pinderfields Hospital for taking care of Craig 🙌#UTR | #BlueWall pic.twitter.com/73qro0SCtz

— Featherstone Rovers (@FevRoversRLFC) February 23, 2023

Featherstone without a goal kicker after Craig Hall blow

The blow to Hall’s neck had caused a crack in the cartilage around his throat. It went on to bleed causing a haematoma around the voice box which is the route air takes to fill the lungs. Without intervention it may have proved fatal.

The veteran was making his first appearance of the season for the promotion favourites. He replaced leading points scorer Chris Hankinson who is also currently sidelined through injury.

Hankinson has a back problem that is set to keep him out for several weeks. And with Hall now missing the next fortnight it leaves Rovers without a recognised goal kicker or left centre.

Mark Kheirallah has stepped up his recovery from knee surgery but is unlikely to be fit for another two months.

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