Chef Josh Cummings loses leg in horror motorcycle crash on Hunter Expressway
Josh Cummings has already endured six operations in 10 days where multiple specialist surgeons have worked around each other in a bid to mend his broken body. His rehab could last years.
Newcastle
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Promising young chef Josh Cummings could face years of painful rehabilitation as he attempts to recover from a catastrophic motorcycle crash which has seen him lose one leg and badly damage one of his precious cooking hands.
The 25-year-old came off his machine on the Hunter Expressway in the early hours of January 8, suffering multiple horrific injuries which have already prompted six trips to the operating theatre where multiple specialist surgeons have worked around each other trying to mend different parts of his broken body.
Mr Cummings has already lost his left leg below the knee, faces a battle to get his left hand working again after it was badly crushed and his ring finger amputated, and will have to endure a series of painful skin grafts to his back and buttocks.
His recovery is also being hampered by a pre-existing medical condition called immune thrombocytopenic purpura, or ITP, where a decrease in platelets in Mr Cummings’ blood makes it harder for his body to stop bleeding.
However, for positive types like Mr Cummings and his mother, Michelle Byfield. the blood condition could also help in his recovery.
“He is tough and has a high pain threshold because of what he has already experienced,’’ Ms Byfield said.
Mr Cummings, who had a rising reputation as one of the Hunter’s brightest young chefs while doing his apprenticeship at fine dining establishments such as Enzo Hunter Valley before becoming head chef at Quinns at Branxton aged just 24, had already battled through months of tough times when the pandemic had forced the closure of many restaurants.
He was finishing up with the Iris Capital group of hotels and pubs, where he had worked the kitchens at places such as Raffertys Resort and the Gunyah Hotel at Belmont, after deciding to take an opportunity to return to Enzo Hunter Valley.
Mr Cummings had finished a shift at the Gunyah Hotel on the night of January 7 and stayed for an extra 90 minutes to catch up with co-workers after announcing he was leaving the business.
He was sober when he jumped on his machine to ride back home to his unit at Branxton.
It was just after midnight when his bike left the Hunter Expressway, a few kilometre past the Cameron Park turn-off.
Although he could not remember the lead-up to the accident, Ms Byfield said her son could recall hitting gravel and remaining conscious despite his extensive injuries.
It is believed he lay awake at the scene for up to 20 minutes before a couple discovered him.
Mr Cummings remained lucid enough to tell the couple to ring his mum and was stabilised at the scene by paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital, where he spent four days in intensive care.
“It is life changing, and we are all still very much coming to terms with it, but Josh is taking it okay,’’ Ms Byfield said.
“He is alert and is aware of his injuries but he is someone who keeps his cards close to his chest.
“There are little things he has already spoken about – he is happy it is his left leg and not his right because he could maybe drive an automatic (car) when he is able.
“It is a positive he is already looking at the future.’’
His family are already moving him out of his unit and, when fit enough, Mr Cummings will move back in with his mum and stepdad Murray Byfield.
And the ongoing financial strain has already prompted a GoFundMe page as well as a fundraising bike ride through the Hunter in March to help with finances.
Details of Ride For Josh can be found on Facebook.
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