A great-grandmother is finally ready to smile after recovering from a cowardly attack following the Carlton vs Collingwood game at the MCG two weeks ago.
80-year-old Jessie Hatch received severe injuries after being intentionally run over by a man traveling on an e-scooter. To her surprise, it was the old enemy of her beloved Maggpies – the Carlton Cheer Squad – who were the first group of people to render assistance following the attack.
“It seems I passed out, and they couldn’t find a pulse or heartbeat. I came to with someone shouting my name, telling me to wake up. My son was also very upset,” Hatch recounted to 9News.
Her son, Greg, expressed confidence in his mother’s resilience. “She was born in Carlton—although she won’t admit it—but she was raised in Collingwood,” he said. “They make them tough in Collingwood, tougher than any of us.”
Sporting her Magpies jumper, Hatch was invited to the team’s training session yesterday where she received warm support from the players.
Forward Dan McStay expressed sympathy, saying, “I’m so sorry that happened to you.”
Despite her injuries, Hatch remains determined to attend her beloved games. “This is just amazing,” she said. “I’m going to the game on Saturday. Nothing’s going to keep me away.”
Hatch also plans to put aside rivalries to visit Princes Park and meet the Carlton fan who came to her aid. Meanwhile, the 46-year-old man accused of intentionally knocking her down remains in custody, awaiting his next court appearance on May 22.
