Muswellbrook: David Atwood’s long recovery after backyard explosion

A Muswellbrook man has a long road to recovery in a Sydney hospital after suffering severe burns, his family forced to stay away during COVID-19 lockdowns.

Lockdowns have forced the family of a Hunter Valley man, who was severely burnt in a “freak” backyard accident, to stay away from the Sydney hospital where he’s in an induced coma.

On the afternoon of June 21, David ‘Goldie’ Atwood suffered third degree burns to 50 per cent of his body after an explosion in the garage of his Muswellbrook home.

The 61-year-old was working on his hot rod when it’s believed the battery jumper pack may have exploded while connected to the car and his body was engulfed in flames.

Neighbours tried to help Mr Atwood before paramedics and firefighters arrived.

He was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney and was placed in an induced coma. His condition is currently critical but stable.

David Atwood and wife Helen from Muswellbrook. David was severely burn in a backyard accident when his hot rod he was working on exploded. Credit: Go Fund Me

Daughter Courtney Mowat and her sister, who live in Queensland, have been stuck at home unable to get to see their dad, with lockdowns and restrictions across the country in full force.

They’ve applied to Queensland Health for an exemption to go see their dad without having to quarantine returning home.

David Atwood from Muswellbrook is in an induced coma after suffering severe burns from a backyard explosion. Supplied.

“We’re not expecting to get a green light but at the end of the day, we’re want to get down there as quickly as possible.”

They’ve been told by the hospital, only parents or guardians of paediatrics and palliative care cases would be exempt from the restrictions allowing no visitors.

One of Mr Atwood’s daughters from Queensland was able to see him before the lockdown but now has to wait 14 days to return home.

The 61-year-old’s wife Helen has also been told to return to Muswellbrook, where the couple live, until restrictions have finished.

Ms Mowat said her father – who is a mechanic by trade – loved working with cars and had just got back the hot rod after it had been at the painters.

“He has always had a thing for cars, he used to own a sprint car, and he sold that for the hot rod, to build,” she said.

“He’s got a go cart as well that he races at Liddell.”

Ms Mowat has started a Go Fund Me Page to help with hospital costs and the long road to recovery.

Lockdowns mean Mr Atwood’s family have trouble seeing him in hospital. At Christmas with his three daughters (back row l-r: Samantha Atwood, Courtney Mowat, Gabrielle Atwood; on his lap l-r: Harper Sledge & Arabella Mowat) and two of his three grandchildren. Supplied.

“The hospital tried to lighten his sedation but his breathing pattern is a little erratic so they put him fully under sedation, but hoping to get him out of sedation as quickly as possible but they’re not going to rush it,” she explained.

“Doing multiple surgeries, he had two last week, surgery on Monday, has another one this coming Friday for skin grafting, it’s a wait and see, make sure his blood pressure is OK before they bring him out of the coma.

“Medicare will cover some of the hospital costs, but there was still large out of pocket expenses.

“We appreciate any donations and words of encouragement to help David on his journey to recovery.”

As of Wednesday afternoon, almost $6000 of their $25,000 goal had been reached.

The family are also hoping local businesses can get on board to help finish off Mr Atwood’s hot rod for when he’s awake and back home.