Young Gold Coast dad Remuna Avaemai fighting for life after Bali motorcycle crash
After more than 2,500 donations, Gold Coast doctors are getting ready to bring home a young father who is on life support following a devastating crash in Bali. HOW YOU CAN HELP
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After more than 2,500 donations, Gold Coast doctors are getting ready to bring home a young father who is on life support following a devastating crash in Bali.
Tugun man Remuna Avaemai, 26, was critically injured after he was travelling on a motorcycle and crashed in Bali while on holidays on April 14.
He was wearing a helmet and was licensed on the motorcycle but had no medical insurance.
Remuna suffered severe head injuries, including bleeding to the brain, a fractured skol and extensive brain swelling which required brain surgery.
He suffered from a post-operative infection only days after and remained in a critical condition.
On April 21, Remuna was on life support and required further surgery.
Remuna’s former partner Meg Sprougle began a GoFundMe to bring him back to the Gold Coast for further medical attention.
She said they needed to reach around $200,000 on their GoFundMe to cover the transport and medical fees.
The cost to transport Remuna from Bali to Australia was quoted up to $180,000.
Gold Coast-based company Medical Rescue got behind the campaign to bring him home and said the Gold Coast University hospital team were “ready” for him.
On Friday Dr Glenn McKay said Remuna was in a critical but stable condition and were expecting him between 6pm to 7pm.
“The aeromedical crew propositioned to Bali last night and our team headed to the hospital to assess him, then returned this morning to transfer him to the aircraft for a long flight home,” he said.
“He will be in the right place with the Gold Coast University specialists looking after him from tonight.
“He still has a long road ahead.”
Ms Sprougle said she was “humbled” and “appreciative” for the support from everyone after raising more than $140,000.
“Due to the generosity of our Australian Community; we can bring Remuna home,” she said.
“We have had donations from the Gold Coast, RSL Groups, Soldiers, Ex Veterans, Clubs, Small Businesses, Schools, Early Childhood Centres, Family, Friends and the list continues.
“We are so very grateful for each and every one of you.”
Ms Sprougle said it was their daughter Maeva’s birthday on Friday and said it was “the best birthday present ever”.
“Medical Rescue have kindly assisted in reducing the aerodynamic costs, as our target to cover costs has not yet been reached,” she said.
“We are so close and we ask with absolute sincerity, for a little more help.
“We are still asking for those who have wanted to support Remuna to go ahead with local fundraising as we still have a significant amount to pay in regards to Remuna’s retrieve and car.”
‘Bring this soldier home’: Hopes to bring dad home within 48hrs
Doctors are getting ready to bring home a young Gold Coast father and former soldier who is in critical condition following a devastating motorcycle crash in Bali.
Tugun man Remuna Avaemai, 26, was critically injured in a horrific crash while on holidays in Bali on April 14, one week before he was set to return home for his daughter’s 7th birthday.
Remuna suffered severe head injuries, including bleeding to the brain, a fractured skol and extensive brain swelling which required brain surgery.
Following the surgery Remuna developed an infection and remained in a critical condition.
Remuna grew up on the Gold Coast and became an Australian soldier who served in Afghanistan.
At the time of the crash he was between jobs working as a static security guard commander.
Remuna’s former partner Meg Sprougle said he was a “determined fighter” and had hope they would be able to bring him home.
Ms Sprougle said once they reach $200,000 on their GoFundMe, they would be able to bring him home but they would have to pay for the medical bills every day he remains in the hospital in Bali, which exceeds $7,000 a day.
The cost to transport Remuna from Bali to Australia was quoted up to $180,000.
The GoFundMe was sitting at $118,173 on April 20.
Gold Coast-based company Medical Rescue got behind the campaign to bring him home and said the Gold Coast University hospital team were “ready” for him.
“It’s Anzac Day soon and this is a veteran we need to get home,” Medical Rescue managing director Dr Glenn McKay said.
Dr McKay said they were expecting to receive Remuna within the next 48 hours.
“There is a lot of sadness in the world and what has happened to Remuna and his family is absolutely tragic,” he said.
“But this is something we, the Gold Coast, can do something about.
“It’s good to do good things, so if you can skip today’s takeaway coffee or discretionary spend at the servo and instead donate a little bit of money to the GoFundMe page.
“We need to bring this soldier home.”
Ms Sprougle said on Wednesday, Remuna was showing signs of improvement and was opening his eyes and responding to his daughters name.
“He is fighting this for Maeva,” she said.
“We have the hospital and doctors who will be treating Remuna in Australia ready on standby as well as collaborating with the medical staff in Bali with reports to ensure we are fully equipped for Remuna’s return.”
April 16: Young dad fighting for life after Bali motorcycle crash
A Gold Coast family is on a desperate mission to bring home a young father who suffered a traumatic brain injury during a motorcycle crash in Bali.
Tugun man Remuna Avaemai, 26, was critically injured in the horrific crash while on holidays in Bali on Friday.
He remains on life support in an induced coma.
Remuna’s former partner Meg Sproule, with whom he shares a young daughter named Maeva, said his family wanted to fly him back to the Gold Coast as soon as he was stable.
They have been quoted up to $180,000 by medical authorities to bring the young dad home depending on his state.
Gold Coast company, Medical Rescue, has since offered to co-ordinate Remuna’s transfer and repatriate him back to the coast.
“We really want to try and be with him and push him through this so he can see his daughter,” a devastated Ms Sproule said.
“The only thing he would want is to feel her presence and hear her words.”
She said the dad and daughter had a “very unique connection”.
“Our biggest thing is trying to get him through this so he can continue making memories with Maeva,” Ms Sproule said.
“She has a very profound love for her dad and doesn’t understand what is going on at the moment.”
Remuna has undergone a surgery to remove half his skol and will require another surgery to put it back in place.
Despite being in a “delicate state”, Ms Sproule said Remuna had shown positive signs in his recovery.
“When his brother saw him, he squeezed his brother’s hand and was trying to pull the tube out of his mouth.”
A former Australian soldier, Remuna served in Afghanistan and was between jobs working as a static security guard commander.
“Remuna is the toughest person ever. He has fought overseas and he has been devoted to the army,” Ms Sproule said.
“We just want as many people to support him the way he goes and supports everyone in the world.
“He has a really big, compassionate heart that has led him to do the job that he does.”
The former soldier grew up in Tugun and Currumbin and has a large community of family and friends.
“If anyone is in trouble, he is the first person to do anything he can to help,” Ms Sproule said.
“A few weeks ago when it was raining on the Gold Coast, he saw some workers on the side of the road in the rain and went and bought them coffees.”
Ms Sproule has set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for Remuna’s medical treatment.
She urged those who were not in a position to donate to keep the beloved father in their thoughts.
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