NEW DELHI: A senior umpire in Australia went through a horrific on-field tragedy and was hospitalized after sustaining serious injuries to the face during a match in Perth over the weekend.
Umpire Tony DeNobrega was officiating a third-grade match at Charles Veryard Reserve in North Perth when he was hit flush in the face by a ball hit by a batter.
Graphic image of the umpire after being hit was posted on social media, showing the severity of the injury sustained. DeNobrega was left with severe swelling around his lips, right cheek and eye and is currently under observation in the hospital.
The West Australian Suburban Turf Cricket Umpires Association provided details on the incident on their Facebook page, saying that the injury to DeNobrega’s face, required hospitalization and that a suegery is not out of the question yet.
“A straight drive out of the screws hit Tony flush in the side of the face,” the West Australian Suburban Turf Cricket Umpires Association posted on Facebook.
“Spending the night in hospital, Tony was fortunate enough not to have had any broken bones however the doctors are keeping him in under observation as surgery is not out of the question.”
While DeNobrega sustained no fractures but remains under observation.
The umpires association expressed their well wishes to DeNobrega. They described the incident as ‘terrible’ and hoped for his speedy recovery.