Members of the public have come together to support a young Irishman whose life “changed in an instant” after he sustained serious injuries in a motorcycle crash while on a dream holiday overseas.
Andrew Patterson, 29, originally from Omagh in Co Tyrone but living in Australia for several years, suffered severe skull and facial injuries in the accident, which happened last Sunday, reports The Mirror.
Andrew, who has been based in Melbourne for the past two years working as a tree surgeon, had travelled to Bali for a weekend trip when the crash occurred, leaving him with life-altering injuries.
In addition to significant skull damage and facial trauma requiring urgent reconstructive surgery and skin grafts, Andrew also injured his hand, which will require further graft procedures, reports The Mirror.
According to his family, there are ongoing concerns regarding possible fractures to his neck and spine, and they are currently awaiting updates on whether further surgical intervention will be necessary.
Several of Andrew’s siblings have travelled abroad to remain by his hospital bedside as he continues recovering from the accident, reports The Mirror.
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Andrew’s sister Andrea has since set up a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the cost of his urgent and complex medical treatment, as well as to raise funds to bring him home to Ireland once he is fit to travel.
“Hi, my name is Andrea and I’m raising funds for my brother Andrew (29), who has been seriously injured in a motorbike accident while on a long weekend away in Bali,” she wrote in a message shared on the fundraising page. Whilst in Bali, he crashed his bike and has sustained severe injuries, his life changed in an instant! As you can imagine, the costs are already mounting; including emergency medical treatment, multiple surgeries, and potentially bringing Andrew home safely once he is stable. We are still trying to understand how much it will all cost but we know it will be significant given the amount paid to the hospital for his scans and care,” reports The Mirror.
Andrea continued: “Andrew is a much-loved brother, son, uncle and friend. He’s the kind of person who would do anything to help someone out and always brings the craic wherever he goes. He has an incredible group of friends he’s had since he was 4 years old, which says everything about the kind of loyal and genuine person he is. He loves the outdoors and being active, so this has come as a huge shock to everyone who knows him. It’s absolutely heartbreaking seeing him in so much pain and go through this trauma so far from home. We’re asking for any support you can give during this incredibly difficult time. No donation is too small, and if you’re unable to contribute, sharing this page would mean just as much,” reports The Mirror.
“Thank you so much for your kindness and messages of support and helping our family through this incredibly difficult time,” reports The Mirror.
Since its launch last Monday, more than £50,000 (€57,000) has already been raised, surpassing the £45,000 (€52,000) target through the generosity of over 800 donors.
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