GoFundMe launched for Nemani Ranuve following horror Gympie crash

The family of a popular Gympie region man has been left heartbroken as he continues fighting for life after being struck by a motorbike in an horrific crash the week before Christmas.

Nemani Ranuve, pictured here with his sister Jorja, remains in a coma at the Royal brisbane and Womens Hospital after being critically injured in the week before Christmas when he was struck by a motorbike at Gympie, in the early hours of December 18, 2022.

The family of Nemani Ranuve say they have been left “heartbroken” as the 20-year-old continues fighting for his life in a coma after being hit by a motorbike only a week before Christmas.

Jill Ranuve said her son’s prognosis was “not looking good” after suffering multiple injuries in the incident, including severe damage to his jaw and leg and right eye.

She said he was walking with friends along Excelsior Rd, near Gympie Central Shopping Centre, in the early hours of Sunday, December 18 when he was struck.

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A GoFundMe launched by his housemate Izaak Cole in the wake of the tragedy has reached more than $16,000

A Christmas Eve update on the page by Ms Ranuve painted a harrowing picture of her son’s injuries.

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Nemani Ranuve is fighting for his life in a Brisbane Hospital, a situation his mother Jill Ranuve said was heartbreaking for his family, including sister Jorja (pictured).

“Neurosurgeons have discovered some further tears in the lower part of his brain,” Ms Ranuve said.

“He is still in a coma but they have eased back the sedation for the waking process which we don’t know how long or if he will fully wake.”

Ms Ranuve said on Wednesday that Nemani has developed blood clots and his condition was “hour by hour”.

The next four to six weeks were crucial for him, she said.

Ms Ranuve said even if he does wake he was facing six months to a year in rehab at the hospital.

“Our lives are never going to be the same,” Ms Ranuve said.

“My son is fighting for his life,” she said, and was likely to have some level of brain damage as a result of his injuries.

Jill Ranuve said her son Nemani loves sports, the beach and surfing.

She herself has been regularly driving from her Tin Can Bay home to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital on Wednesdays and weekends, staying overnight in the city on Saturdays.

“It all adds up,” she said.

Ms Ranuve said she has been “overwhelmed” by the outpouring of support for Nemani, who has a “beautiful soul” with a love of sports which included volleyball and playing with the Gympie Devils.

He was “extremely close” with his sister Jorja and “love the beach, fishing and surfing”.

“We really want to relate our thanks to the community,” Ms Ranuve said.

“It’s very humbling.

Police said investigations into the crash are ongoing and no charges have been laid.

Ms Ranuve held out hope for her son who sadly “hasn’t given us any sign of waking”.

“He’s the light of our lives,” Ms Ranuve said.