Colts midfielder Simmons struck by mystery illness

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St George’s midfielder Chae Simmons was flown to Lahey Clinic in Boston hospital yesterday morning after spending several days in hospital with a mystery illness.

According to his uncle Kenneth Bascome, Simmons had gone to the hospital twice in the last two weeks after feeling unwell and was rushed to the hospital last Friday and admitted to the intensive care unit where he remained in critical condition.

“As it stands now we have no idea what has afflicted him,” said his uncle as the family awaits news from the Burlington hospital.

“We all went to King Edward Hospital on Friday and were there for a time on Saturday and they called my niece on Sunday and we all went to hospital preparing for the worst. However, he hung on and hung on and they determined that it would be best if he was flown overseas. We flew him out at 3.45 this morning.”

Added Bascome: “We believe the hospital has done an outstanding job, in particular the staff in the ICU. The family would like to say thank you to them.”

A loan from the LCCA enabled the family to fly Simmons to Boston and the family has set up an account at HSBC in his name for anyone wishing to make a contribution to the footballer’s medical expenses. The account number is 010287209002.

Simmons, 34, has played for several clubs during his career, including as a junior with St George’s and Dandy Town before returning to St George’s as a senior player in 1994 and then moving to St David’s in 1995 where he played for several seasons. He then spent two seasons at Wolves and then joined Boulevard where he stayed for eight seasons and had a stint as captain before returning to St George’s in 2010. He played for St George’s only in the first half of last season.

“I believe he probably injured himself playing and didn’t tell anyone,” said his uncle. “He played about four or five games in the first half of the season, but he is not 16 anymore and when he gets injured now he is not able to recover as quickly as he did when he was a youngster.

”We just want to say thank you to the community and ask that people continue to pray. We also want to thank the LCCA for enabling him to be airvaced out of Bermuda. An account has been set up in Chae’s name and if anyone would like to make a donation we would be more than thankful. The calls we have gotten have been overwhelming.”

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