Mel Liebetanz faces long recovery after horrific Coles Creek crash

A Southside woman who saved a man’s life at a serious crash on the Bruce Highway now faces an arduous recovery herself, after suffering horrific injuries when she was hit by a car at the scene of the accident

Southside mother Mel Liebetanz faces an eight-month recovery after suffering serious injuries while helping at a crash on the Bruce Highwy at Coles Creek.

There was no doubt Mel Liebetanz, described by her family as “outspoken and caring”, was going to get out to help a man seriously hurt in a multi-vehicle crash on the Bruce Highway at Coles Creek.

Ms Liebetanz stanched the flow of blood from the injured man’s leg and is said to be “the reason he is alive today”.

But the Southside stepmother of three then found herself in a fight for her own life on June 4 when she was hit by a vehicle at the crash scene and was thrown over the concrete barrier.

It took more than 10 minutes for her to be found, with horrific injuries.

Now friends and family of the popular Bunnings worker are rallying behind her as she faces a recovery her stepson Braden James said would take about eight months.

“The extent of her injuries are very critical,” Mr James said.

“Both her lungs were punctured, broken ribs front and back, her entire left leg which consists of a broken femur, broken knee, compound break in the front shinbone …”

He said she also had a compound break to her other shin, as well as a broken elbow, collarbone and pelvis.

Mrs Liebetanz is a popular staff member at Bunnings.

Mr James said his mother had already undergone about 18 hours worth of surgery to repair the damage, and in a tragic blow, suffered a stroke sometime during the seven days she was heavily sedated.

He said she had now lost the use of her left hand and had trouble speaking.

Despite her injuries, Mr James said his mother “was doing OK” and had adopted a “one day at a time” approach but “some days are better than others”.

“The one limb that isn’t damaged she can’t use the fingers on,” he said.

“She’s her happy self – as well as she can be.”

Mrs Liebetanz in the dress she was planning to wear to the wedding of her stepson Braden James.

Mr James said his father had been travelling from Gympie to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital as often as possible.

“Financially it’s going to be very difficult for him without having the second income and travelling down from Gympie every day to support her as much as he possibly can,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr James plans to get married in September, and is now unsure if his mother will be able to attend.

Family neighbour Sue Rodgers has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help raise money for Mrs Liebetanz’ recovery.

So far $1200 has been pledged.

Mr James said his mother had met the man she stopped to help, who was also in SCUH.

He unfortunately lost his leg following the crash, “but she is definitely the reason he is alive today”.

Despite what had happened, Mr James said there was no doubt his mum would step in to help again if she had to.

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