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Rugby league legend Trent Robinson, who was visiting the team at the time of the shocking barbecue accident, has told more about what happened before the Sydney Roosters coach and his wife were taken to hospital with burns.
The NRL coach and his wife Sandra were airlifted to hospital after a gas cylinder exploded while cooking at former rugby league supremo John Quayle's property at Dalswinton in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, when the incident occurred.
They both suffered burns to their arms and had cold water poured on them before being taken by helicopter to hospital for urgent medical care.
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) team.
He played a key role in the formation of the so-called National Rugby League (NRL) and managed its operations, and this year was inducted into the Code's Hall of Fame.
Over the years, the champion and administrator has developed many strong connections, including the Roosters coach.
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson (pictured during a Sydney Swifts volleyball match) and his wife Sandra suffered burns as a result of a gas cylinder explosion on a farm co-owned by John Quayle
Former NSWRL chief executive John Quayle (left) arrives in court with ARL chairman Ken Arthurson during the Super League war
Now Quayle, who also worked for SOCOG as an events manager during the 2000 Sydney Olympics, has shared more about how the incident happened.
“We were just having a barbecue and about an hour after the meal I smelled gas,” Quayle told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Trent checked the knob, it came on and then went off. They're both fine.
“Obviously triple-0 was called and they were very good. We are in a quite isolated place, the ambulances arrived immediately.
“They were immediately given cold water and cold showers and treated by paramedics.
A helicopter was called to make sure everything was OK.
“They were taken to John Hunter Hospital for preventive tests. Sandra was kept overnight and Trent for two nights. They are both home, everything is fine and that is the most important thing.”
The Roosters coach (pictured left) and his wife were airlifted to hospital for treatment of their injuries
Quayle revealed that the smell of gas first alerted Robinson that something was wrong with the barbecue on his Hunter Valley property
Quayle has been closely associated with the Roosters throughout his career.
Just after the 1997 Super League war, Sydney Roosters godfather Nick Politis and Quayle bought Hunter Valley Farm and started a vineyard together.
Politis and Quayle have been friends since the 1970s, and the former NRL administrator became friends with Robinson when the former Catalans Dragons coach joined the club in 2010 as an assistant coach and again in 2013 as head coach.
Quayle said Robinson and his family regularly went to the farm in the off-season to relax.
“They come with their kids from time to time,” Quayle said.
“It was very innocent (Trent) relaxing after a long year in the country.
“The services were very good, from the ambulance service to the hospital. To see such a reaction on a country estate was truly first class. We're certainly happy about it.”
The accident also occurred on the same day the Roosters were celebrating winning the NRLW Premiership, which Robinson did not want to disrupt.
“Trent, being Trent, obviously didn't want any fuss or any conversation about it, which is understandable,” Quayle said.
“He didn't want anyone to worry, which is probably why he hasn't said anything until now.”
