Beloved Aussie musician reveals he ‘nearly died' after life-changing accident
The Savage Garden frontman, 52, revealed he suffered three fainting spells, where he lost consciousness each time, which caused him to fall and break his jawbone in half.
As part of the trauma suffered by the accident, he also shattered nine teeth.
Hayes shared the details of the accident in a confronting Instagram post.
'On March 17, two months to the day after my mother passed away, I had a terrible accident,' Hayes began. Darren Hayes has revealed he nearly died following a life-changing accident at his home. Credit: Instagram
'I've been trying to keep it private but my lengthy recovery period means it's easier to admit the truth. I lost consciousness — I fainted shortly after getting out of bed and collapsed three times, losing consciousness each time.
'The blunt force trauma was so severe it snapped my left jawbone in half. I woke up in a pool of blood, terrible pain in the left side of my head and with nine teeth shattered.
'I'm so lucky I was found and taken to the amazing team at the emergency room of St John's Providence in Santa Monica, where they acted quickly.
'I could have died if I landed in a different position.'
Hayes said the reason for the fainting spells were still a mystery.
He has undergone neurological tests and tests on his heart. He said his surgeon was able to insert a titanium brace to reconnect his split jawbone.
His mouth was wired shut for eight weeks, allowing his jawbone to heal. Hayes broke his jaw and shattered nine teeth after falling conscious multiple times. Credit: Instagram
Hayes explained he had been suffering lightheadedness before the accident.
He assured fans he was under the incredible care of a cardiologist and an oral surgeon.
'So far, my heart is normal, my arteries are normal, and I don't have a brain tumor or anything that could cause the accident,' he said.
He added he was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Hayes explained that rehab would be a long road to get his jaw function back. He would also need to replace his shattered teeth.
Hayes finished by striking a positive note about his health journey.
'I'm so grateful to my loved ones for coming to my rescue and to the doctors and nurses that have treated me with such care,' he wrote.
'After surviving a brutal divorce, losing my mother, finding out my father had died and then this, I have moments of deep sadness. But I am a survivor and I'll come back strong.'
Hayes were previously married to British screenwriter, Richard Cullen, from 2006 to 2024.
He rose to fame in Aussie band Savage Garden, with a string of huge hits including 'Truly, Madly, Deeply', from 1993 to 2001.
In 2022, he announced the Do You Remember? Tour, which went around six Australian cities, in early 2023.
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