Footy legend Brett Kimmorley relives the moment he could have died and left his four girls fatherless after making two simple mistakes
Kimmorley, 48, was driving from Canberra to Cronulla in Sydney 's south when he had a microsleep.
The decorated halfback earlier 'had one or two beers plus some food' at a time when he was 'overworked and over-tired' - and the combination could have been fatal for the father of four girls.
'It was daylight, and I had three hours in the car, I wanted to get home,' the NRL premiership winner said in a Hit's Hard road safety campaign for Transport NSW.
'I feel asleep (for a split second) and drove straight into the back of a moving trailer.
'The car was written off... the engine exploded and my airbag definitely saved my life.
'I'm lucky to (be in a position to) share this experience, it could have been life changing... it is all about making better decisions.'
In 2017, Kimmorley's life was turned upside down following the death of his wife Sharnie from brain cancer.
She was just 38 and Kimmorley instantly became a single dad with four daughters until he met his new partner Lauren.
'Our eldest was 15 and the youngest was six years when unfortunately they did lose their mum,' Kimmorley told NRL.com
'Hopefully somewhere in the future there will be a cure for it (cancer).'
He also praised the NRL for the annual staging of the Beanie for Brain Cancer Round, which was kickstarted by former Knights star Mark Hughes following his own diagnosis in 2013.
'The NRL is such a big product and having a whole round dedicated (to Beanie for Brain Cancer) creates awareness,' Kimmorley said.
'People then start talking about it and you start opening up, and you realise there's a lot of people going through something similar, and that there is support.
'I went through a lot of challenges, but one thing I would say to anyone who goes through this is please speak up, please ask questions, please reach out to people.'
Kimmorley made his NRL debut in 1995 with Newcastle and went onto represent NSW and Australia.
His career highlight at club level was the 1999 premiership with the Melbourne Storm, where Kimmorley won the Clive Churchill medal for best on-ground.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out
34 minutes ago
- Time Out
A huge new nightclub and live music venue is opening in suburban Sydney next month
When the latest stretch of Sydney Metro opened back in August, Bella Vista – the leafy suburb in Sydney's Hills Shire – became a whole lot more accessible, with a direct metro line zipping straight there from Martin Place in just under 45 minutes. Now, there's a new reason to catch the metro out to the Hills, with Bella Vista set to welcome a huge new entertainment venue ready to host everything from techno-soundtracked club nights to major sporting events. Intrigued? Us too. With the telling name 'Bella Live', the multifunction new venue is dedicated to hosting live events, with the aim of becoming 'the beating heart of entertainment in the Hills.' Occupying a massive 1,029m² former warehouse, it's been engineered to host major touring acts – with three main rooms kitted out with custom audio systems, LED stage lighting, projection-style immersive lighting, and an AV system integrated throughout. Sydney-based architecture firm Archebiosis Architects was tasked with the design – bringing to life a warehouse-style space that combines an edgy, industrial aesthetic with sleek, modern design features. The result is a vast, super-club-style space complete with a 17.5-metre bar and a huge 10 x 8-metre stage flanked by VIP booths. Wondering what's coming up? At this stage, the program (which will kick off with a huge opening night on Saturday, August 9) features weekly Friday club nights, an Oktoberfest celebration on Sunday, September 28, and a special show from Aussie icon Daryl Braithwaite on Sunday, November 16. So far on the DJ front, Bella Live has locked in high-octane sets from SEKTA & Wongo (August 16), Set Mo (August 23), JaySounds (August 30), and Bag Raiders (September 6) – to name a few. With high-spec staging, audio and lighting, plus luxe green rooms and private ensuites for performers, the venue is aiming to position itself as a go-to for international artists. For sports fans, Bella Live will show UFC, F1, and Premier League action on giant screens, with plans for celebrity lunches, athlete meet-and-greets, and game-day brand activations in the works. Other events set to be hosted at the big new space include open mic nights, improv shows, author talks, weekend markets, and silent discos – it's absolutely not a one-trick pony. These are the best dancefloors in Sydney.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Aussie UFC star Tai Tuivasa lights up a massive joint on social media, here's the reason why he won't face any sanctions for it
UFC heavyweight Tai Tuivasa has never been shy about living life on his own terms – and his latest viral moment is no exception. The Australian cult favourite, known for drinking beer from a shoe after each win, posted a video this week puffing on a massive joint while sweating it out in a sauna. The post, shared to his Instagram account with the caption '@bambambudz,' shows Tuivasa enjoying marijuana in a relaxed setting, despite still being an active member of the UFC roster. While it might raise eyebrows, Tuivasa won't face any sanctions from the UFC or law enforcement. That's because the UFC no longer punishes fighters for marijuana use, as long as they're not under the influence during competition. Tuivasa, who currently sits at No. 10 in the UFC heavyweight rankings, hasn't fought in 2024 and has spent time recovering, refocusing, and reshaping. After reports his weight had ballooned to 140kg, the Sydney-born slugger appears to have slimmed down, with fans noting the change in recent appearances. Tuivasa is targeting a return to action in early 2025, aiming to end a frustrating losing streak and put himself back in title contention. But fighting isn't his only hustle. The knockout artist has also entered the booming American cannabis market, launching his own weed brand: Bambambudz. Tuivasa revealed the business in a post back in March, posing with three massive bags of marijuana in front of a greenhouse full of cannabis plants. With a grin and a double peace sign, he declared, 'COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU US,' teasing future distribution in US states where cannabis is legal. Those include California, Colorado, Illinois and New York – key markets in a $15 billion industry. Bambambudz plans to expand even further, with future dispensaries reportedly being eyed in Thailand. Bambambudz is eyeing US expansion and potential dispensaries in Thailand's shifting market Cannabis was legalised for recreational use there in 2022 before the government moved to restrict it to medical purposes in 2023. Despite the regulatory grey areas, Tuivasa's brand is already generating hype among fans and cannabis users alike. He joins a growing number of athletes embracing the weed business, from Mike Tyson to Nate Diaz. Tuivasa is no stranger to outside-the-cage ventures either – he co-owns Drink West brewery alongside NRL star Nathan Cleary and fellow fighter Tyson Pedro. His larger-than-life personality, brawler mentality, and sense of humour have earned him a loyal following. Even through his recent losses, 'Bam Bam' remains one of the most entertaining figures in the sport. From walk-off knockouts to Joe Rogan-shocking shoeys, he brings energy no one else in the UFC does.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
English footy star reveals how he almost LOST his leg after a spider bite: 'It was a real welcome to Australia'
John Bateman has faced some of the toughest assignments getting around on the footy field, but nothing could prepare him for Australia's deadly wildlife - that almost cost him his leg. The incident happened in Perth when the Cowboys were scheduled to play the South Sydney Rabbitohs on April 12 and Bateman was a late scratching. Now it can be revealed that his absence from the team was because of a spider bite that was so severe, the English international nearly lost his leg. 'I think it [the spider] was on the field, and it bit me on my leg. I wasn't too sure what it was, I've never had to worry about that before,' Bateman told 'I had a rough sleep on Wednesday night, and I literally got rushed to hospital on Thursday morning. 'It was pretty bad. I was just hot and cold, and my leg from above my knee to beneath my ankle went all red, so I was pretty worried. 'But when I got into the hospital, I just said to the doctor, 'just make sure I'm ready for the game on Saturday'. 'Then on the Friday morning he came back in, because they had taken bloods, and he said, 'mate, there is no chance of you playing, we're just looking to save your leg'.' News quickly got back to the UK where his family, including his daughter Millie, still resides. 'They were just as shocked as I was, but I was in the best place and it's a credit to Perth Hospital,' he said. 'I got away in one piece, but it was a real 'welcome to Australia,' put it that way.' Bateman began his NRL career in Australia with the Canberra Raiders in 2019, quickly becoming a fan favourite. Known for his aggressive defence and high work rate, he played a key role in Canberra's run to the 2019 NRL Grand Final. After two standout seasons, he returned to the UK in 2021 to rejoin Wigan, citing a desire to be closer to family. Bateman remained a dominant force in the Super League before seeking another opportunity in the NRL. In 2023, he signed with the Wests Tigers, but struggled to find consistency in a struggling side. Despite his strong individual efforts, the Tigers failed to climb the ladder, and Bateman's future became uncertain. By the end of the 2024 season, rumours swirled about a potential move back to Queensland. The North Queensland Cowboys secured his signature, aiming to bolster their forward pack with his experience. Bateman spoke about the dramatic change in conditions from Bradford to tropical north Queensland and how he had to adapt - including the deadly wildlife. 'I got there on January 2 and for a lad from the north of England it was a lot different to where I'm from,' he said. 'It's not really the sun, it's more the humidity and when you're running you just get fatigued quick. It's really tough, it zaps the energy out of you and I think it's so hard to actually get fit in the heat. 'When you get to a certain point, you can normally push through it anywhere else in the world, but because of the humidity it just literally takes it all out of you and you can't continue running. 'I'm sure every other player that's played up in Townsville will vouch for that. You've just got to get used to it.' Bateman also backed under-fire coach Todd Payten, who has come under scrutiny as the Cowboys crashed out of finals contention despite boasting a strong roster including a host of internationals and State of Origin representatives. 'Todd is pretty straight down the line like some of the other coaches I've had - Shaun Wane, Wayne Bennett, and Ricky Stuart. He tells you how it is so you know where you stand and I like that,' Bateman said.
