Footage has emerged of controversial anti-vaxxer Pete Evans reportedly slamming Covid-19 vaccines moments after he weighed in on the tragic death of cricket great Shane Warne.
The world is still reeling following the shock death of the legendary spin bowler after a suspected heart attack, hours after Australia lost another cricket great, former wicketkeeper Rod Marsh in the same demise.
As an outpouring of tributes flowed on social media for the much-loved sporting icons, anti-vax trolls hijacked the devastating news to spread bizarre conspiracy claims about Covid-19.
Footage is circulating online of Evans, reportedly filmed during a public Zoom call, appearing to show the former My Kitchen Rules host paying tribute to Warne and conceded he couldn’t specifically comment on the reasons of his death.
He then unleashed into a rant about Covid vaccines.
Pete Evans (pictured at an anti-vax rally) has been accused of using the death of cricket legend Shane Warne to promote his concerns about Covid vaccines
Shane Warne (pictured with former fiancee Liz Hurley) died of a suspected heart attack on Friday night, plunging the sporting world into mourning
‘Shane Warne was an amazing cricket player for sure … (it’s) sad,’ Evans allegedly claims in the video.
‘Who knows what the reasons behind this are and I can’t comment on it.
‘However, so many doctors I’ve interviewed have been screaming for the last year-and-a-half, saying the vaccines are going to cause death like we’ve never seen across the planet.
‘And they’re all predicting we’re not going to see the outcomes of this — or the real side effects — for the next three to five years. We’re witnessing it happening with athletes on field and there’s a reason behind that. ‘
The video has sparked an angry backlash against Evans, who was accused of using Warne’s death as a platform to promote his anti-vax claims.
‘Struggling for relevance. Once more Pete Evans has failed to read the room,’ one man tweeted.
Another added: ‘Disgusting and opportunistic at a time that should be about the sadness of a great man’s passing. Have some respect for Shane Warne’s family and friends.’
A third critic of Evans shared a recent article showing Warne smoking a cigarette and drinking an energy drink on a hotel balcony in Sydney two months ago.
‘Medical science understands reasonably well what causes tragic, premature cardiac arrest in 52 year old males without knobends like Pete Evans contributing utter s**** to distress family and fans,’ they wrote.
Another replied to a fan of Evans:’ Next time u see him give him an uppercut for my Dad (38) & Brother (55) that died from Heart Disease, overweight & life long smokers. Bensen & Hedges sponsored Aus Cricket from 1973, that killed Rod & Shane.’
Shane Warne died just hours after the death of fellow Aussie cricket icon Rod Marsh (pictured)
A video of Pete Evans (pictured) reportedly filmed during a public Zoom call shows the anti-vaxxer slamming vaccines hours after the death of Shane Warne
There is no credible evidence the Covid-19 vaccine increases the risk of a heart attack, according to Healthline.
‘It can lead to heart inflammation in some people,’ its website states.
‘However, this effect is typically mild and goes away with treatment.’
‘It’s also important to keep in mind that, according to research, the rate of heart inflammation (myocarditis) from the vaccine seems to occur at a much lower rate than heart inflammation caused by Covid-19 infection.
Evans’ alleged comments come after numerous posts were hijacked by anti-vaxxers to spread bizarre claims the deaths of both cricket legends were caused by the Covid-19 vaccine.
‘Both dead within one day of each other Shane’s last tweet was about Rod Marsh’s death. Vaccine injury or coincidence?’ one person tweeted alongside a photo of Marsh with Warne.
‘You really have to wonder if the vaccines killed Rod Marsh and Shane Warne, and if you dismiss it more fool you,’ wrote another.
‘He was killed by the vax. You are a moron, an an evil moron at that if you ‘don’t see it’,’ added a third.
Numerous posts were hijacked by anti-vaxxers to spread bizarre claims the deaths were caused by the Covid-19 vaccine
Other Twitter users were quick to slam the absurd theories as ‘shameful’ and ‘disgusting’.
‘PSA. People had heart attacks before the vaccine and they will have them after the vaccine! Shane Warne died of a suspected heart attack,’ one posted.
‘It’s not even confirmed yet, but anti-vaxxers are already signing his death certificate. It’s shameful and disgusting.’
Another added: ‘You people are disgusting if you knew anything about Shane Warne you’d know his lifestyle all the way through his career involved far more dangerous chemicals entering his body than a f***ing vaccine. Get in the bin.’
Warne, widely considered the greatest bowler in cricket history, was found unresponsive in his villa in Koh Samui, Thailand, on Friday evening
Legendary wicketkeeper Rod Marsh tragically lost his life after he suffered a major heart attack while visiting Bundaberg, Queensland, for a charity event.
The 74-year-old was placed in an induced coma and died on Friday morning, several days after he was airlifted to an Adelaide hospital.
Warne had tweeted out his condolences to the family of Rod Marsh only hours before passing away himself.
‘He was a legend of our great game and an inspiration to so many young boys and girls, said Warne on Friday, just before 9am in Thailand.
‘Rod cared deeply about cricket and gave so much-especially to Australia and England players. Sending lots and lots of love to Ros and the family. RIP mate.’
The death of Shane Warne (pictured with Liz Hurley) was hijacked by anti-vaxxers online
Warne, widely considered the greatest bowler in cricket history, was found unresponsive in his villa in Koh Samui, Thailand on Friday evening and couldn’t be revived.
He is suspected to have died of a heart attack, aged 52.
Warne’s grieving family have accepted Premier Daniel Andrews’ offer of a state funeral.
It will be an opportunity for Victorians to pay tribute to his contribution to his sport, to our state and the country. Details will be finalised in coming days,’ The Premier tweeted on Sunday night.
Conspiracy theorists have inundated Twitter with misinformation after the deaths of cricket legends Rod Marsh and Shane Warne on Friday
