Dad-of-two left with critical brain injury after shallow water jump

A Brisbane father of two remains in hospital with critical injuries after an Australia Day tragedy at a popular Sunshine Coast beach.

A Brisbane father-of-two remains in hospital two weeks after he jumped into shallow water at a Sunshine Coast beach on Australia Day and sustained a “critical” brain injury.

Sobhan (Sam) Ghavam, a husband, father, and engineer jumped into shallow water at Caloundra’s Bulcock Beach.

Mr Ghavam’s wife Emma Farnaz said he suffered a broken neck and “critical” brain injury.

“It was a hot day so we decided to go to the beach, he jumped in the water to bring my son his sand bucket and then all of a sudden he was unconscious in the water,” she said.

“It all happened right in front of my eyes...it was just a simple jump...I freaked out, jumped in the water and pulled him out...then I ran to the guard and asked for help.”

Ms Farnaz said “fortunately” there was an off-duty doctor at the beach who helped to keep her husband in a stable condition.

“It was the worst day of my life,” she said.

Mr Ghavam was initially admitted to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital where he was stabilised before being flown to the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital under Neuro Specialist Care.

Sobhan (Sam) Ghavam (right) was critically injured after a day at the beach with his wife, Emma Farnaz (left) and his two children went horribly wrong. Picture: GoFundMe

Ms Farnaz said he was discharged from the ICU three days ago but remains in the neurological ward at RBWH.

She said her husband is being fed through a tube and that doctors are only able to give her “daily” updates.

“He is conscious but unable to talk...he recognises us but his mind comes and goes...he doesn’t know where he is or what happened,” Ms Farnaz said.

“He is not paralysed but because the damage was in a critical area of his brain, he also suffered facial nerve damage - he has no control of his eyes and is unable to eat or drink”.

Ms Farnaz said the couple moved from Iran in 2017.

A GoFundMe launched on behalf of Mr Ghavam and his family describes the father-of-two as “one of the most vibrant, energetic and infectious lovers of life you will ever meet”.

“The road ahead for his recovery is still currently unknown,” the GoFundMe read.

“Sam and Emma finally settled in Brisbane, purchased a home... Sam was the sole provider for their financial future is now uncertain, and we would like to do everything we can to try and help.

“Those who know Sam (Sobhan) personally, know that he would absolutely do anything for anyone. Sam has an impact on everyone he meets in his life. He is kind, generous and thoughtful.”

Ms Farnaz said her two young children have struggled to cope with what happened to their father.

“My two year old just keeps saying ‘daddy, water, nose, ouch’...my daughter saw a family photo on the fridge the other day and started crying saying ‘I miss my daddy’,” she said.