Molly Meldrum Critical After Fall
Music legend Molly Meldrum is in critical condition at The Alfred Hospital Friday after he fell at his home in Richmond, Victoria, Thursday evening while putting up Christmas decorations,
Professor Jeffrey Rosenfeld, the hospital's director of neurosurgery, said the 65-year-old Meldrum is in intensive care and will undergo further brain scans.
"We've got him sedated and he's having all the treatment that we give to severe brain injury patients. The next 24 hours is critical. We're encouraged by the way he's going so far but he's still critical," Rosenfeld told the Herald Sun.
The former long-time host of top-rating television pop/rock show "Countdown" suffered a fractured skull, broken ribs and punctured lung from the fall. His gardener found him unconscious on the tile floor and an ambulance took him to the hospital at 6:40 p.m.
Before he was found, Meldrum was putting up Christmas lights on the roof of his outdoor bar, where he was to throw a party for friends on Sunday. His longtime friend Garry Spry said he fell from a height of 3 metres.
Meldrum's manager said he was optimistic of his client's recovery.
His brother, Brian, and friend Russell Morris, were with relatives who went to the hospital to see him.
Outpouring of support from showbiz stars, friends and colleagues also came through Twitter with no less than Prime Minister Julia Gillard tweeting, "Keep fighting."
Minogue sisters Kylie and Dannii tweeted, "Sending LOTS of love to Molly Meldrum ...Get well soon x J," according to the Herald Sun.
Also tweeting "get well soon" messages were Russell Crowe, Adam Hills, Darren Hayes, Ruby Rose, Jessica Rudd, Boy George, the Melbourne Storm, Silverchair's Ben Gillies, Angela Bishop, Sunrise's Melissa Doyle and Jess Origliasso of Veronicas.