Teen Tamsyn McConnell fighting for her life after Upper Corindi crash
A ‘bubbly’ young woman is still ‘fighting for her life’ after a car with three teens inside hit a tree and caught fire. Read the tributes.
Police & Courts
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A teenage girl “fighting for her life” after a horrific crash on a rural fire trail in northern NSW has “a long road ahead” to recover from significant injuries.
Tamsyn McConnell — described as vibrant and bubbly — was a passenger in a car that slammed into a tree and caught fire at Upper Corindi, north of Coffs Harbour, about 1pm on September 29.
Three GoFundMe pages have been set up to help her parents who had to leave the 17-year-old’s five siblings with family while they sit bedside at Gold Coast Hospital.
“Tamsyn and her family are close family friends of my own family and are in desperate need of financial support,” Jo Dugmore wrote in the most recent plea.
“Tamsyn is a vibrant bubbly 17-year-old lady and the loving eldest sister of six siblings.
“Tamsyn sustained quite significant injuries and her mother and father have been by her bedside since in another state, having to leave her siblings in the care of family members. “Both are unable to return to work for an indefinite period of time given the uncertainty of Tamsyn’s recovery process.
“They are experiencing extreme financial hardship due to all of the medical expenses and ensuring their five other children are taken care of in the interim.
“Tamsyn has an extremely long road ahead of her in relation to her recovery and rehabilitation and ongoing care.
“I have created this fundraiser in the hope that it might lessen the extreme burden on her parents and siblings left at home given her hospital stay may well be months if not longer.”
Her page has raised just $320 so far but Tamsyn’s aunt Emma has raised $3910 and friend Rhys Anderson’s post has almost $9000.
In her plea on October 8, Emma McConnell said her niece was still in an induced coma and the full extent of her injuries were yet to be confirmed.
“Only time will tell,” she said.
“All we know for certain is that her path to recovery will be a long road ahead.”
Ms McConnell said all donations would go directly toward treatment and rehabilitation for Tamsyn as well as helping her parents and siblings.
A NSW Police spokeswoman said initial reports indicated the teen was ejected through the window.
She said the other people got out of the car and dragged her away from scrub that had caught fire.
The two other females in the car were taken to Coffs Harbour Hospital but Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service flew Ms McConnell to Gold Coast Hospital where she remains in the Intensive Care Unit.
A hospital spokesman said last week the girl remained in a critical but stable condition.
But the hospital is unable to provide any further updates on her condition.
“I would really like to thank the man who called the ambulance for our daughter,” her mother Tiffany Mowle said on Facebook.
Ben McConnell wrote saying he was “so thankful for everyone who helped out and the Westpac team”.
Ms McConnell, who went to South Grafton High School, lists Tweed Heads on social media as her home town and Braunstone as her current home.
Tributes were pouring in for the teen — described as a bright, vibrant and caring young soul — as she remained in a critical condition after the crash.
Rhys Armstrong, from Minnie Water, was first to start a GoFundMe page to raise money for the family, securing more than $7500 from 125 donations in just a day.
He put the call out to “residents of Minnie Water, Wooli and surrounding Clarence Valley towns and villages”.
“One of our precious youth, Tamsyn McConnell, is currently fighting for life in Gold Coast ICU following a tragic car accident,” he said.
“Tamsyn is a bright, vibrant and caring young soul.
“Tamsyn has five siblings and loving parents who are now facing the most challenging time of their lives.
“Let’s band together as a community to provide them with some financial support and send prayers and love their way.”
Lynn Rudder also shared a post in a Grafton United Football Club group saying Ms McConnell was “possibly the youngest member of our GUFC Sirens”.
“Tamsyn is a truly wonderful young woman,” she said.
“It has been a delight to get to know her this season.
“She is very genuinely profoundly liked by her entire team.
“I expect this is the usual way people feel about her because how could you not?
“What has occurred is a tragedy that leaves us shell shocked and speechless.
“She has our love and best wishes in bucketloads and it is wonderful to see people are banding together to support her and her family financially as well so they can concentrate on Tamsyn.”
The WooliWooli Cafe put a sign out the front asking people to connect to whichever higher power they subscribe to.
“To those that go to church to connect with the higher being, those that meditate to connect with the universal energy and those that have the time to send love, prayers and spirit to young Tamsyn McConnell who was involved in a car accident and now fighting for her life,” the chalkboard reads.
“Much love to Tamsyn and all the family … You’ve got this girl xxoo”
The Wooli Hotel Motel Social Club told its Facebook followers it would dedicate the Saturday afternoon raffle to donations Ms McConnell and her family.
Samantha Davis also spoke of Ms McConnell playing in her women’s soccer team.
“She is a beautiful young girl. Consider helping her family out,” she wrote.
Tributes have been pouring in across social media:
Erin Gallagher: Hoping you find strength Tamsyn, each and every day. Love and light sent to you and your family now and always. ️
Lynne Blundell: You’ve got this Tamsyn! We are all thinking of you and you family. Lots of love the Blundell Family xxx
Dale Ashbrooke: Love and prayers to Tamsyn and family ️
Chiara Hassett: My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Tamsyn. Keep fighting!
Isabella Lehman: Stay strong, Tamsyn.
Amoretta Hartley: Lots of love to Tamz and family.
Marie Mouradjallian: Tamsyn, I pray that God will heal you completely — body mind and soul. I pray you and your family find peace and strength even in this tragic time.
Janelle Cooper: Omg this is horrible wishing Tamsyn all the very best and speedy recovery thinking of the family
Bruce Bird: Hope she recovers. Thinking of all the family.
Waiyee Chau: Stay strong recovery soon. In Jesus name amen.
Annette Gill: Sending much love.
Lindy Webb: Hope she recovers fully. Thinking of her and the family.
Gail Honeysett: So sad, beautiful girl. Get well soon, my love goes out to all the family.
Leanne Plowman: Sending much love
Tori Bevege-Nacinovic: Please help Tamsyn McConnell and her family if you can she is a beautiful soul.
Belinda Sullivan: This girl is not in a good way. Any amount would help this family. And would be muchly appreciated.
Michelle Frame: My thoughts and well wishes go out to Tamsyn and her family at this tragic time.
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