Lynagh’s ‘miracle’

Former Australia and Saracens fly-half Michael Lynagh says it is “a miracle” he survived after suffering a stroke.

Lynagh, who won 72 caps for the Wallabies before retiring in 1995, was admitted to hospital after falling ill in April 2012.

“I was very lucky with just about everything that had to go right from the moment it happened,” the 49-year-old said.

Lynagh recalled how after complaining of serious headaches and blurred vision he was rushed to the Royal Brisbane Hospital where he spent days in intensive care.

“I’d arrived in Brisbane that day from Singapore, where I had a bit of work to do for three or four days, and sat down,” Lynagh explained.

“I’d had a steak and was on my third light beer. One of the guys was telling us funny stories and I laughed, and as I took a sip, it went round the wrong way and I choked, and it was quite violent. When I stopped that and tried to open my eyes I couldn’t see. Then I was just trying to get my sight back.

“Then headaches kicked in quite strongly. I was taken into intensive care and was looked after very well, but I was very, very lucky to be here.

“It was pretty tough but basically my back right artery had split, causing a clot.”

His surgeon, Dr Rob Henderon said at the time, “Michael, you haven’t just dodged a bullet; you’ve dodged a cannonball.”