Kiwi rugby player in coma after 'tragic' accident

A 19-year-old Wellington Football Club Colts player is in Wellington Hospital in an induced coma after a "tragic accident" during a club match.

The incident occurred during a match at Ngati Toa Domain on Saturday, May 13. Witnesses have reported the player was involved in a collision during the first half of the match.

The player was removed from the field late in the match after teammates noticed he was displaying worrying symptoms during a stoppage in play.

Shortly after leaving the field his condition deteriorated rapidly and he was taken to Wellington Hospital.

He underwent brain surgery on Saturday night, and remains in a critical condition.

His family say what happened was a tragic accident, and he was injured doing what he loved.

Wellington Rugby chief executive Steve Rogers said the organisation was working with the New Zealand Rugby Foundation and New Zealand Rugby to ensure full support, including counselling had been made available to all of the parties involved.

Newshub.