Savage Garden star Darren Hayes revealed he had a near-death experience after a “terrible accident” in March.
“I’ve been trying to keep it private but my lengthy recovery period means it’s easier to admit the truth,” Hayes, 52, wrote via Instagram Friday, April 18, alongside photos showing facial bruising and swelling.
The musician explained that he’d been off the grid since March 17 because he “snapped [his] left jawbone in half” in an accident that took place two months to the day after the death of his mother, Judy Hayes.
“I lost consciousness — I fainted shortly after getting out of bed and collapsed 3 times, losing consciousness each time,” he recalled. “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 my left side of my head and with 9 teeth shattered. I’m so lucky that 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 subsequently underwent a battery of medical tests in hopes of finding the root of his recent medical issues, though his doctors still aren’t sure what’s wrong.
“They scanned for and ruled out heart issues and anything neurological. I was scheduled for emergency reconstructive surgery and this happened on March 21st,” he noted. “The incredible surgeons inserted a titanium brace to re-connect my jaw bones and my mouth was wired shut for a minimum of 8 weeks while the left jaw bone could heal.”
After assuring followers he is “under incredible care,” Hayes alerted them to his plan to take more time away from social media to focus on his health.
“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 wrote. “No judgement to those who partake but I do not take drugs or drink alcohol – this was a complete shock. But we are still investigating.”
The “I Want You” singer went on, “I just wanted my fans to know why I’ll be out of action for quite some time. After my jaw heals it’s a long road to rehabbing my jaw function and then of course replacing my shattered teeth. I love you folks.”
“I’m so grateful to be alive and every day I’m getting stronger,” he insisted. “I’m almost one month post surgery now and I’m only just starting to feel better. I’m so grateful to my loved ones for coming to my rescue and to the doctors and nurses who have treated me with such care. After surviving a brutal divorce, losing my Mother, finding out my father died [in 2023] and then this I have had moments of deep sadness. But I am a survivor and I’ll come back strong.”
In January, Hayes shared a heartfelt tribute to his “beautiful, extraordinary, magnificent, wondrous” mother via Instagram, in which he acknowledged feeling “absolutely devastated” by her passing.
“I want you to know she adored the people who enjoyed my music and meeting you was a great joy for her,” he wrote to fans. “We always had an invisible string, a magical connection that was unbreakable no matter where I was in the world. I like to imagine that string was a little bit like twine and she’s a beautiful balloon.”
“The string has been cut and now my Mother has ascended to the heavens where she is forever young, beautiful and can finally breathe and is pain free,” he continued. “Even though she appears to have floated gently into the clouds above, our bond remains forever — perhaps now a connection made of glitter and stardust and wishes and love. My heart is broken but I’m so grateful she is finally at peace.”
