Surfer Mark Richardson recovering quickly after emergency flight from Bali

A Gold Coast surfing identity who was flown from Bali in a critical condition last week is recovering steadily and even managed to watch the AFL grand final from his hospital bed, his family has revealed.

A Gold Coast surfing identity who was flown from Bali in a critical condition last week is recovering steadily and even managed to watch the AFL grand final from his Darwin Hospital bed, his family has revealed.

Mark Richardson, brother-in-law of former world surfing champ Joel Parkinson and a coach of World Surf League stars, was airlifted by LifeFlight from the Indonesian holiday island last Wednesday after 11 days in hospital there with chronic internal bleeding after a suspected severe dose of “Bali belly”.

Mark Richardson is recovering in hospital in Darwin. Picture: Instagram

Mr Richardson has a rare blood type, A negative, and the surfing community including 11-times world champion Kelly Slater shared social media pleas for blood donations.

His family and friends had arranged to fly 10 bags of blood to Bali but the hospital there refused to accept the donations at the 11th hour, sparking the urgent medevac.

A GoFundMe campaign to help pay for his evacuation to Australia and ongoing costs raised more than $45,000.

In an update on the fundraising platform, his wife Bianca said his intubation had been removed and he was eating solids.

The AFL fan also watched Saturday’s grand final between the Brisbane Lions and Collingwood Magpies with friends.

“(He’s) recovering so well now,” she posted.

“Next step hopefully out of ICU to ward. Darwin medical staff have been amazing now conducting all diagnostic tests, surgery and treatment that had been required.

“We are so grateful for your love, support and healing messages.”

Mrs Richardson has said her husband was not expected home on the Gold Coast until he is “100 per cent” better.