Seriously injured rugby player on the mend

Players, team supporters and medical staff tend to injured Islanders player Reita Puatolo at...
Players, team supporters and medical staff tend to injured Islanders player Reita Puatolo at Miller Park on Saturday.PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
A player who was flown to Christchurch after being seriously injured at the Spartans 10s rugby tournament at Miller Park on Saturday is making positive progress.

Reita Puatolo (21), of Dunedin, was left prone after a collision while playing a game for the Islanders team in the annual 10-a-side tournament.

He had no feeling in his lower body and did not move while waiting for medical attention.

A helicopter was called and landed at the park.

Puatolo was flown directly to Christchurch for diagnosis.

Scans on Saturday night and yesterday morning were positive and feeling was returning to Puatolo’s legs yesterday.

He was expected to be transferred back to Dunedin this morning.

The game he was playing in was called off as was the match scheduled to be played immediately afterwards.