A Morningside Panthers junior is continuing his recovery after emergency brain surgery, following a serious workplace fall in Brisbane earlier this year.
Emergency Surgery In January
Ben Milner, 17, was injured on 19 January 2026 while working as a carpentry apprentice on a house demolition job. He was standing at the top of a ladder when a balustrade gave way in his hands. He fell heavily, struck his head and later experienced a seizure.
Milner was transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital, where he underwent X-rays and CT scans. A subsequent scan showed increased bleeding on the brain, prompting urgent surgery to remove a blood clot from the right side of his brain.
The procedure carried significant risks. Milner required 32 staples and 16 stitches and spent three days in hospital, including time in a high-needs ward where staff regularly monitored his responsiveness. He has limited memory of the day of the incident.
Gradual Return To Routine
Since being discharged, Milner has been following a structured recovery plan. Medical advice includes no driving for three months, restrictions on heavy lifting and high-intensity running, and no contact training for six months.
Family updates indicate he is recovering well and steadily regaining strength. In early February, he commenced Grade 12 after a delayed start, balancing school responsibilities with ongoing rehabilitation. A neurological review is scheduled for March to assess his progress and determine any adjustments to activity limits.
Support From The Morningside Sporting Community
Milner has longstanding ties to the Morningside sporting community, having spent eight years playing Australian rules as a Morningside Panthers junior. He has also competed for Iona in school football and cross-country.
Two weeks after the incident, Morningside Cricket confirmed it had worn red armbands during a match with a 10 a.m. first ball as a show of support for Milner and his family. The club described the gesture as backing him through his recovery.
Online messages from community members have expressed encouragement as he continues rehabilitation, with support remaining visible across the Morningside sporting network.
Published 13-Feb-2026
