Prayers for Molly

Showbiz, media and sports colleagues from far and wide were united in their prayers and wishes for entertainment guru Molly Meldrum, last night.

The legendary music reporter is in a critical condition at The Alfred hospital after falling at his Richmond home late on Thursday afternoon.

Early reports said Meldrum, 65, fell from a ladder but friend Garry Spry said Meldrum was putting up decorations when he fell down some stairs.

He was in an induced coma with broken ribs, a possible punctured lung and swelling on the brain after splitting his head open. He underwent surgery late last night to relieve pressure on his brain.

A brief statement from Seven said:

Channel Seven wishes to advise that Molly Meldrum had a fall at home late this afternoon and as a consequence suffered serious head and chest injuries.

He remains in a critical condition at the Alfred Hospital in an induced coma, and is receiving the best possible healthcare.

His brother, Brian Meldrum, is with him.

There will be no further comment overnight.

On Twitter last night both fans and celebrities were sending their wishes to Meldrum via the hashtag #LoveYouMolly.

Manager Mark Klemens said, “The next 24 hours will be crucial to see where things lie.”

Update: “I think at the moment it’s unlikely we’ll need more surgery but we’ll need to wait and see what that scan shows,” Prof Rosenfeld said.

“I’m encouraged that he’s been stable overnight but he’s still very serious.”

“We’re fighting that battle with him and for him and we’re going to hopefully win that battle.”

He said Meldrum’s severe brain injury was the primary concern and that they couldn’t predict what was going to happen.

“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.”

Update 1:20pm: Seven Press Release
Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum is in a critical but stable condition at The Alfred Hospital after falling at his home late on Thursday afternoon.

His manager, Mark Klemens from Profile Talent Management, confirmed that Molly suffered significant head and chest injuries. He has a fractured skull, a punctured lung, and fractures to his ribs, shoulder and vertebrae.

Further scans are being conducted today and he remains in a coma.

“It’s still early and we hope to know more in the next day but we’re feeling very hopeful,” Mr Klemens said.

He also thanked the public for the “incredible outpouring of support” for Molly overnight. “The public response worldwide has been amazing and we’re very grateful. Molly is an icon, he’s loved in Australia and all over the world and he’ll be touched by all the messages of support,” Mr Klemens said.

Lewis Martin, the Managing Director of Channel Seven Melbourne, said: “Molly is a national treasure, and he’s a treasured member of the Seven family too. Our thoughts and prayers are with Molly and his family and close friends.”

A spokesperson for The Alfred said that while medical staff are “cautiously optimistic”, Mr Meldrum is in a critical but stable condition and the next 48 hours remain crucial.

Molly’s brother, Brian Meldrum, will make a statement to the media at 4pm today at The Alfred Hospital.

Update 5:30pm: In a statement to the media outside The Alfred hospital this afternoon, his brother Brian said he expected his brother’s condition would worsen before it improved.

Molly Meldrum’s neurosurgeon Professor Jeffrey Rosenfeld outside The Alfred hospital this morning.

“He’s under sedation and he’ll remain that way probably until early next week,” Brian said.

Brian Meldrum said “the bruising will get worse before it gets better, so they need him under sedation until that happens”.

“He has a broken shoulder, fractured clavicle, fractured ribs and a punctured lung. Also fractured vertebrae but not particularly threatening. They can’t do anything with those injuries until they get the head injury stabilised,” he said.

Source: The Age, Herald Sun