There are grave fears for AFL great Tony Modra following a serious crash in South Australia.

The Crows hero affectionately known as ‘Godra’ was driving a cattle truck and crashed into a tree outside Victor Harbor, just over one hour south of Adelaide, on Thursday afternoon.

The 57-year-old was taken to the local hospital in Victor Harbor before being rushed by road to Flinders Medical Centre, where he remains in a critical condition.

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“Those with knowledge of the incident say there is hope he will pull through but his condition tonight is very serious,” 7AFL’s Ryan Daniels said at three-quarter time between Fremantle and Geelong.

Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor was shaken by the update.

“That is not the news we wanted to hear,” he said.

“It’s going to be extremely difficult for us now as a commentary team to get excited about what we’re about to see here, because that is just tragic news and we hope things get better on from here on in.”

Port Adelaide premiership player Kane Cornes paid tribute to his “hero” Modra.

“He has been since I was 10 years of age. He’s a fighter,” Cornes said.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas issued a statement on social media late on Thursday night.

“Mods is an SA icon who has never forgotten where he came from. Down to earth and just a really good bloke,” Malinauskas said.

“Tony and his family are in our thoughts tonight, and we all hope he’ll be ok.”

SA Police had earlier confirmed emergency services responded to reports of a truck crash on Range Road in Back Valley.

“A truck driver has been seriously injured after a crash at Back Valley,” police said.

“About 5.15pm on Thursday 18 June, police and emergency services responded to reports of that a truck had crashed into a tree on Range Road, Back Valley, about 10 kilometres west of Victor Harbor.

“The driver and sole occupant of the truck, a 57-year-old Waitpinga man, was taken to hospital for treatment for serious injuries.”

SA Police later released a photo of Modra’s damaged truck at the crash site.

Modra is regarded as one of the most skilful forwards in history.

He won the AFL mark of the year award three times, helping earn him cult status among Crows fans despite missing out on both of their grand final successes in the late 1990s.

Modra kicked 440 goals in 118 games for Adelaide and finished his career with Fremantle.

He kicked 148 goals in 47 appearances for the Dockers before retiring in 2001.