Melanie French critically injured in Tallygaroopna collision as mother lauds emergency services

The response of emergency services and the Shepparton community brought “hope from despair” after a young medical student’s life was saved by those at a horrific collision site.

NSW medical student Melanie French was travelling home from Melbourne when she was critically injured in a collision north of Shepparton.

Emergency services and first responders have been lauded after a shocking crash north of Shepparton, with the mother of a critically injured medical student saying they brought “hope” out of potential “despair”.

Melanie French, 20, was critically injured in a collision at Tallygaroopna on August 24.

The young medical student was travelling home from Melbourne to the Northern Tablelands of NSW.

Her parents Teresa and Russ French lauded the community’s response to the collision.

“All the drivers looked after her until the emergency services got there,” they said.

They also commended the police effort.

“The way she’s been looked after from the get go has been incredibly supportive … We are still in contact with the police,” the couple said.

Melanie French with her mother Teresa.

Melanie has suffered many broken bones but avoided organ damage and is now awake from an induced coma.

Teresa said the police were “very pleased” she was doing better and “she’s the ray of hope” for them after a horrific week on Goulburn Valley roads.

The police also helped get Teresa and Russ from their NSW home near Armidale to Melbourne the day she was taken to hospital.

“She should have a good recovery but it is going to be a long road.”

It was Melanie’s birthday today.