From the Herald Sun
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,5301974^663,00.html
How brave Jason saved sisters
By MARK BUTTLER and EVONNE BARRY
17oct02
THE courage of football star Jason McCartney saved the lives of two Melbourne sisters in the moments after explosions ripped through a Bali nightclub.
The mother of Leanne and Samantha Woodgate said yesterday she owed her daughters' survival to McCartney, who selflessly defied the flames and searing heat of Paddy's bar.
Kay Woodgate yesterday publicly thanked the Kangaroos backman, 28, who is in intensive care in Melbourne's Alfred Hospital with burns to 50 per cent of his body.
"We owe the girls' lives to Jason. They're grateful. Anything we can do, we will," Mrs Woodgate told the Herald Sun.
Leanne, 26, and Samantha, 28, are in an Adelaide hospital where they are being treated for burns.
The sisters, McCartney and teammate Mick Martyn had shared a drink after another day relaxing in the Balinese sun.
In the chaos that followed the deadly blast, McCartney helped lead Leanne and Samantha through the extreme heat and destruction caused by the explosion.
Mrs Woodgate said she had talked with AFL star Corey McKernan, a former Kangaroos player who is a mate of McCartney and Martyn.
"I spoke to Corey. I said to thank him (McCartney) and give my love and thoughts to his family," she said.
Leanne knows McKernan well through her role as a masseur at Carlton Football Club.
Mrs Woodgate said she had been overwhelmed by support for her family.
"The response -- everyone wanting to help -- has been fantastic, people you'd never expect," she said.
Mrs Woodgate is keeping a vigil at Royal Adelaide Hospital where Leanne and Samantha have undergone skin grafts.
"They're fine," Mrs Woodgate said.
Kangaroos players, officials and fans have been deeply moved by the plight of McCartney and Martyn, who was also burnt in the blast.
Club president Allen Aylett said: "Many, many Kangaroos supporters and friends have rung the club asking us to pass on their best wishes and to let Jason know that they are right behind him and they hope he gets over his injuries as soon as possible."
McCartney is to marry Nerissa Vanderheyden on December 14 and hopes to continue his AFL career.
His father Ian first heard of his son's brave actions on Tuesday when he visited the hospital.
"I haven't asked him about it, but I wasn't surprised," he said.
Mr McCartney said Jason's selfless nature was also shared by his brothers, Brenden and Steven.
"That's just his nature. He would help anyone before he would help himself," he said. "The whole lot of the boys are exactly the same."[
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,5301974^663,00.html
How brave Jason saved sisters
By MARK BUTTLER and EVONNE BARRY
17oct02
THE courage of football star Jason McCartney saved the lives of two Melbourne sisters in the moments after explosions ripped through a Bali nightclub.
The mother of Leanne and Samantha Woodgate said yesterday she owed her daughters' survival to McCartney, who selflessly defied the flames and searing heat of Paddy's bar.
Kay Woodgate yesterday publicly thanked the Kangaroos backman, 28, who is in intensive care in Melbourne's Alfred Hospital with burns to 50 per cent of his body.
"We owe the girls' lives to Jason. They're grateful. Anything we can do, we will," Mrs Woodgate told the Herald Sun.
Leanne, 26, and Samantha, 28, are in an Adelaide hospital where they are being treated for burns.
The sisters, McCartney and teammate Mick Martyn had shared a drink after another day relaxing in the Balinese sun.
In the chaos that followed the deadly blast, McCartney helped lead Leanne and Samantha through the extreme heat and destruction caused by the explosion.
Mrs Woodgate said she had talked with AFL star Corey McKernan, a former Kangaroos player who is a mate of McCartney and Martyn.
"I spoke to Corey. I said to thank him (McCartney) and give my love and thoughts to his family," she said.
Leanne knows McKernan well through her role as a masseur at Carlton Football Club.
Mrs Woodgate said she had been overwhelmed by support for her family.
"The response -- everyone wanting to help -- has been fantastic, people you'd never expect," she said.
Mrs Woodgate is keeping a vigil at Royal Adelaide Hospital where Leanne and Samantha have undergone skin grafts.
"They're fine," Mrs Woodgate said.
Kangaroos players, officials and fans have been deeply moved by the plight of McCartney and Martyn, who was also burnt in the blast.
Club president Allen Aylett said: "Many, many Kangaroos supporters and friends have rung the club asking us to pass on their best wishes and to let Jason know that they are right behind him and they hope he gets over his injuries as soon as possible."
McCartney is to marry Nerissa Vanderheyden on December 14 and hopes to continue his AFL career.
His father Ian first heard of his son's brave actions on Tuesday when he visited the hospital.
"I haven't asked him about it, but I wasn't surprised," he said.
Mr McCartney said Jason's selfless nature was also shared by his brothers, Brenden and Steven.
"That's just his nature. He would help anyone before he would help himself," he said. "The whole lot of the boys are exactly the same."[
