By Dave GooderhamA RUGBY club captain is facing up to two months in hospital after suffering a collapsed lung in a car crash that also left four team-mates injured.

By Dave Gooderham

A RUGBY club captain is facing up to two months in hospital after suffering a collapsed lung in a car crash that also left four team-mates injured.

Callum Stewart, captain of Haverhill Rugby Club, suffered a broken pelvis and several broken ribs in the crash, which happened on Saturday on the way home from a game.

His team-mates - including 16-year-old Andy Driver, who made his first appearance - suffered concussion and minor injuries in the two-car collision.

Mr Stewart was driving home from Haverhill's match at Newmarket when the crash happened at about 5.15pm in Little Wratting.

Fire crews cut him from the wreckage and he is expected to remain in Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, for up to two months.

Former club captain Paul Bergin said: “It was a shocking thing to happen, but fortunately they are all bearing up.

“We were very concerned and worried and when we first heard about the accident our thoughts turned to their family and offering support to them.

“We are a close-knit club and we have tried to rally round to help look after their kids or give some friendship to the players who are now at home.

“This is often one of the unsung things that goes on in rugby which makes it such a great sport to play.”

Mr Stewart suffered a broken pelvis, several broken ribs and a collapsed lung in the crash. Passengers Chris Flannery, 21, and Sam Griggs, 26, both suffered concussion and were kept in hospital overnight for observation.

Andy Driver suffered minor injuries, while Ben Jones, 21, was released from hospital after treatment on Saturday night. It is believed the driver of the second vehicle involved suffered minor injuries.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said the accident had caused part of the A143, near the Little Wratting crossroads, to be blocked for almost five hours.

Mr Bergin said Haverhill's second team cup fixture against Sawston on Saturday would go ahead, but all the injured players would be unavailable for at least a month.

dave.gooderham@eadt.co.uk