Australian surf legend Mark Richardson fighting for life after Bali illness

Australian doctors have been left stunned by state of a gravely ill surfing legend rushed out of Bali to a Darwin hospital where he had a hasty medical procedure. Read the latest

Doctors have been left stunned at the “state” of a gravely ill Gold Coast surfing legend spirited out of Indonesia on a mercy flight to save his life.

Four-time Australian surfing champion Mark Richardson was rushed to a Darwin hospital intensive care unit after his medevac flight out of Bali landed safely on Wednesday night.

Richardson, brother-in-law of ex world champ Joel Parkinson and coach of World Surf League stars, had been in a serious condition in a Bali hospital on Wednesday suffering severe internal bleeding from a suspected bad case of “Bali belly”.

Bali’s Siloam Hospital refused to take international blood donations and a decision was made to evacuate him.

In the latest update on his condition on Thursday night, Richardson’s wife, Bianca, said he was intubated in ICU in Darwin Hospital.

But he was in a stable condition and his internal bleeding had stopped, she said.

“The doctors couldn’t believe the state his body was in on pick up,” she said.

“Firstly we want to say how blessed we are to have such an amazing medical team and system in Australia. The Darwin doctors have been next level with hourly updates.”

Mrs Richardson said her husband would remain in Darwin until he was “100 per cent” better.

“Thank you for all your love and healing energy to support him,” she told supporters.

Mark Richardson in an ambulance. Picture: 7News

Earlier, according to an update from family friend Fiona Meyer on the GoFundMe page set up for the surfer, Richardson arrived safely in Darwin.

“He is in the ICU getting the expert care he needs,” she wrote.

“Thanks again for the overwhelming support.”

A LifeFlight medevac plane left Townsville on Wednesday afternoon en route to Bali to retrieve Richardson.

Mark Richardson being medically evacuated. Picture: 7News

The GoFundMe had raised more than $42,000 of its $50,000 target as of Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, from his Bali hospital bed, “Richo” took a swipe at online trolls who had questioned his plight.

Mark Richardson in a Bali hospital. Picture: Instagram

“I had something go wrong with me and have travel insurance. Why do people make judgments?” he posted to Instagram on Tuesday night.

“Hope all the people who have made so many negative comments receive all the bad karma they deserve - just a loving dad trying to get home to my son.”

Some people questioned why an online fundraiser had been launched for the surfing coach.

“Obviously not much money in surfing,” one man commented.

“Do we need to fund this man’s unfortunate illness and return to Australia? Really? Where are all his sponsors now?” another man added.

Many also jumped to Richardson’s defence.

“If this were my husband in this situation I would use any means possible to get him home quickly and safely. Shame on you all for shaming someone for doing the same,” one woman said.

The Richardson family - Mark, son Ty and wife Bianca. Picture: Instagram

Earlier, Richardson’s family had been preparing for a mercy dash to Bali with 10 bags of a negative blood type needed when they faced a devastating setback.

His wife Bianca Richardson said she been told Bali’s Siloam Hospital was refusing to take international blood “after they agreed earlier verbally”.

“We have now been on the phone to all as this is outrageous they refused the Red Cross blood,” she said at the time.

“We have demanded ASAP emergency medical evacuation.”

Bianca Richardson has pleaded for blood donations for her husband, Mark. Picture: Instagram

“These past few days have been extremely frustrating for Mark and all of us not receiving any answers. Mark in his 40 plus years to Bali has never even got Bali Belly.

“We are grateful for all the love and healing energy from you all and particularly for some of his life long friends.

“We will keep you all updated and pray Richo will be dropping in on you all on the Goldy point breaks again soon.”

Mark Richardson at the Queensland Surf Festival. Picture: Ben Staff (Surfing Queensland)

Richardson coaches World Surf League competitors including Gold Coasters Liam O’Brien and Isabella Nichols.

They have both shared details of their coach’s battle on their Instagram feeds as the surfing world rallies around him.

Former world champion Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew described the situation as concerning.

“It’s radical what can happen up there in the tropics and it would be terrible if it was a really bad outcome,” he said.

Mark Richardson competing in the over 45 men's division in 2019.

Bartholomew said he was hoping and praying for a good outcome.

“He’s a great surfer and one of the most competitive guys I have ever met.

“His son (Ty) is a great young surfer.

“I’ve got an incredible amount of respect for Mark. He’s a top-line coach and really knows the business of surfing.”

Friend Andy McKinnon said the news had shaken those close to Richardson.

“It’s disturbing news. We’re all thinking about him,” the surfing identity said.

“He’s one of the Gold Coast’s best surfers and a supercoach.

“Everyone is hoping he recovers and gets back to what he loves doing.”

The four-time Australian surfing champion is best known for being controversially stripped of his 2011 World Masters Title two years later for testing positive to cannabis.

While the surfing community threw its support behind him, he became the first surfer in the history of the sport to face public shaming for drug use.