Mundoolun crash: Cedar Grove woman Kirsty Batson fighting for her life

A Cedar Grove trackwork rider has suffered bleeding on the brain and a fractured neck after her car collided with a minibus in a horror accident between Jimboomba and Tamborine.

The mother of a young woman who suffered horrific injuries in a crash between a car and bus has revealed just how much of a fight lies ahead for the young horse rider.

Kirsty Batson, 23, is fighting for her life in hospital, awaiting brain surgery, after her car collided head on with a mini bus between Jimboomba and Tamborine on Sunday morning.

Miss Batson’s mother, retired jockey Sheree Drake, said her daughter suffered bleeding on her brain, a traumatic head injury, a fractured neck, a broken foot, two broken ankles, two broken toes, a fractured hip, and a dislocated hip.

She is at the Princess Alexandra hospital awaiting brain surgery.

Ms Drake said she and her family were eternally grateful for her daughters’ survival.

“After hearing about how bad the crash was and seeing images it really is a miracle she survived,” she said.

Kirsty Batson with her horse Cruise. Kirsty suffered severe injuries in a crash at Mundoolun on Sunday. Picture: Supplied

“When police first called me yesterday I didn’t realise how bad it was or how many people were involved in the crash.

“Just that my daughter’s life was in danger.”

Both Miss Batson, from Cedar Grove, and the bus driver, a 74-year-old Southport man named Billy, were trapped in their vehicles for more than an hour Sunday before being flown to different hospitals by Life Flight.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said 19 other people, including a teenager, the only child on the bus, were also taken to various hospitals.

It has been confirmed the 22 bus passengers were returning to the Italian Club, in Clear Island Waters on the Gold Coast, following a hot-air balloon ride when the mini bus was involved in a head-on crash with the Mazda 6 Miss Batson was driving on Mundoolun Rd, Mundoolun, between Tamborine and Jimboomba, about 10.20am.

Ms Drake said it has been a tough time for the family.

“No mother should ever have to see their daughter like this,” she said.

Kirsty Batson suffered severe injuries in a crash at Mundoolun on Sunday. Picture: Supplied

“It’s just terrifying. Once they got her to hospital they had to sedate her because she was so out of it and in so much pain.

“She had a few surgeries on some of her broken bones this morning. But it’s hard because the doctors say every time they move her too much the bleeding on her brain starts again.

“We were hoping she would go in for brain surgery today but they said she needs to be more stable first.”

Despite Miss Batson’s list of traumatic injuries and the induced coma, her family is trying to stay optimistic.

“I’m hopeful for my daughter and so grateful no body was killed in the accident,” Ms Drake said.

“But it’s still really hard to come to terms with. She only just got back on her feet and returned to working as a track rider.

A bus and car collided at Mundoolun on Sunday. Picture: Peter Wallis.

“Earlier this year she broke her leg and had to have time off work, and she’s finally recovered and now while she was driving home from work, this happens.

“It’s been a really emotional time. I feel for any parent who has had to see their child in such a state.”

Miss Batson’s stepdad, Greg Cornish, a prominent racehorse trainer who trains on a property at Beaudesert, said the family was suffering but had faith.

“We’ve got to stay hopeful otherwise we’ll have nothing else to hold onto,” he said.

The badly damaged Mazda following a crash on Sunday. Picture: Peter Wallis.

Ms Drake said Miss Batson’s younger sister, Jasmine, was also a jockey.

She said the large racing family had felt the love and support from friends and members of the Scenic Rim and Logan communities.

“We’re so thankful for all of the love and support we’ve received,” she said.

“The local community has been great.

“Once Kirsty stabilises and has her surgery we are planning to set up a Go Fund Me page to help her get back on her feet while she recovers.

“She won’t be returning to track riding for quite some time.”

Originally published as Mundoolun crash: Cedar Grove woman Kirsty Batson fighting for her life