Brendon Cannon accidentally reversed over his son © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Brendan Cannon

Teams: Australia | Force

The son of former Wallabies rugby union hooker Brendan Cannon is in critical condition on life-support after his father accidentally reversed over him in the driveway of his Brisbane home.

According to reports in the Sunday Telegraph, Cannon backed over his son, Samuel, in the family's four-wheel drive, fracturing both his legs and causing internal injuries.

"It's one of those worst-case scenarios," said Cannon. "We've got a very narrow driveway and you need to be focusing on clearing the gate. I was reversing out, concentrating on the right side of the gate to get out, and I've accidentally run over the little guy. I have accidentally run over his side - I've run over his lower limbs.

"He is on life-support, the situation is critical, he has a fracture in the left and right femur. There's internal swelling and laceration of his liver."

Doctors have reportedly stated it is a "miracle" that the 15-month old boy survived."We know he is in the best place possible to recover," Mr and Mrs Cannon said in a statement on Sunday.

"We've been overwhelmed by the support and actions of the doctors and nurses at the Royal Children's Hospital, I cannot praise them enough," added Mr and Mrs Cannon in a statement. "Given the circumstances, this is obviously an extremely trying time for our family. We would like to thank and acknowledge the support and well wishes we have received from all corners of the globe from our friends and the wider community."

Another former Wallabies hooker, Phil Kearns, was involved in a similar incident five years ago when he accidentally reversed over his daughter Andie. She suffered internal injuries but has since made a full recovery.