- Trent Robinson and his wife Sandra required treatment
- He suffered burns when a barbecue gas cylinder exploded
- Former NRL player and administrator explains what happened
Rugby league legend Trent Robinson, who was visiting at the time of his shocking barbecue accident, has spoken out about what happened before the Sydney Roosters coach and his wife were taken to hospital with terrible burns .
The NRL coach and his wife Sandra were airlifted to hospital after a gas bottle exploded while they were cooking at former rugby league supremo John Quayle’s property in Dalswinton, in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales. when the incident occurred.
Both suffered burns to their arms and were treated with cold water before being airlifted to hospital for urgent medical attention.
Quayle is a former Australian rugby league player and administrator who played as a forward for the Eastern Suburbs Roosters in the 1970s and later served as general manager of the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL).
He played a key role in establishing the National Rugby League (NRL) and managing its operations, and was inducted into the code’s Hall of Fame this year.
Over those years, the champion player and manager has made many strong connections, including the Roosters coach.
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson (pictured at a Sydney Swifts netball match) and his wife Sandra suffered burns when a gas bottle exploded on a farm co-owned by John Quayle.
Former NSWRL chief executive John Quayle (left) is pictured arriving at court with ARL president Ken Arthurson during the Super League war.
Now Quayle, who also worked for SOCOG as an events manager during the 2000 Sydney Olympics, has spoken openly about how the incident occurred.
“We were having a barbecue and about an hour after we had eaten, it smelled like gas,” Quayle told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘Trent checked the knob, the knob went on and off. They are both fine.
‘Naturally, it was called triple-0 and they were very good. We are in a fairly remote area, the ambulances came right away.
‘They were immediately treated with cold water and cold showers while the ambulance paramedics treated them.
‘To make sure everything was correct, (a helicopter was called).
‘They were taken to John Hunter (hospital) for a precautionary examination. Sandra stayed the night and Trent stayed two nights. “They are both at home now, they are fine and that is the most important thing.”
The Roosters coach (pictured left) and his wife had to be airlifted to hospital for treatment for their injuries.
Quayle revealed that a smell of gas was the first thing that alerted Robinson to the fact that something was wrong with the barbecue at his Hunter Valley property.
Quayle has maintained strong ties with the Roosters since his playing days.
Just after the 1997 Super League war, Sydney Roosters godfather Nick Politis and Quayle bought the Hunter Valley farm and set up a vineyard together.
Politis and Quayle have been friends since the 1970s and the former NRL manager struck up a friendship with Robinson when the former Catalans Dragons coach joined the club in 2010 as assistant coach and again in 2013 as head coach.
Quayle said it was common for Robinson and his family to go to the farm in the off-season to relax.
“Once in a while they come with their kids,” Quayle said.
‘It was very innocent, (Trent) relaxing after a long year in the field.
‘The services were very good, from the ambulance to the rescue to the hospital. Seeing that reaction on a rural property was truly first class. We’re certainly happy about that.”
The accident also happened on the same day the Roosters were celebrating their NRLW premiership, which Robinson did not want to disrupt.
“Trent, being Trent of course, didn’t want any fuss or anything said about it, which is understandable,” Quayle said.
“He didn’t want anyone to worry, which is probably why he didn’t say anything to date.”