Aus Bikes fundraiser to support injured motorbike rider Michael Bruce

THE lives of the Bruce family were changed forever when a ute slammed into Michael Bruce as he rode his motorbike to meet his wife and children.

Michael Bruce was seriously injured when he was hit by a ute in July. Picture: Bruce Family

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IN A split second, the lives of the Bruce family from Cranebrook were changed forever.

Father of two Michael, 31, had just finished a regular Sunday motorbike ride with his mates, and was heading to a family party, when his Harley-Davidson was hit by a ute on Coreen Ave.

He was so badly injured in the July 9 accident, he is not expected to leave Westmead Hospital for at least another 12 months.

Wife Kristy-Lee now spends her days making repeated trips between Penrith and Westmead to support her husband, then returns after school to bring daughter Sienna, 10, and son Riley, 7, to visit.

Michael Bruce was returning from a Sunday ride when he was injured. Picture supplied by the Bruce Family

“I am doing the best I can,’’ Mrs Bruce said.

“Some days things are good, and then we get 10 steps back. I am taking each day as it comes.’’

On Sunday, the family gathered in Mr Bruce’s hospital room to celebrate Father’s Day.

“The kids got him some presents from the Father’s Day stall to bring up and spend time with him,” Mrs Bruce said.

Medical crews at the scene of the accident at Coreen Ave, Penrith. Picture: CareFlight

The accident left Mr Bruce with such terrible injuries he is having different procedures every second day.

“He had lots of internal injuries. He had one leg amputated and they have had to reconstruct his whole pelvis,’’ Mrs Bruce said.

“There was bleeding on the brain, fractures in the skull, lots of internal things.

“It has been tough. He will probably be a minimum of 12 months (in hospital).’’

Michael Bruce with his wife Kristy-Lee, daughter Sienna and son Riley. Picture courtesy of the Bruce family.

Mrs Bruce said Sienna and Riley missed everyday life with their father.

“Not seeing dad every day has been a bit of a struggle for them. He is a shift worker (a machine operator) and he worked rotating shifts and would pick them up from school a lot,” she said.

Mrs Bruce has taken time off from her full-time job with the National Disability Insurance Scheme to care for her husband.

In another week she will return to work, but only part-time.

PANTHERS NEED TO STAY PATIENT

To help the family financially, Aus Bikes will hold a fundraising event at Madinah Wheels and Tyres in Blacktown on Sunday, 10am-3pm.

There will be raffles, kids’ activities, cars and bikes parked up, promo girls, a live DJ and giveaways.

The 28-year-old driver charged over the incident will appear in court again on Friday.

Madinah Wheels and Tyres is at Bowmans Rd, Blacktown.