Echuca bike accident leaves Xavier Edwards a quadriplegic

A young Moama boy has a long road ahead of him after he fell from his bike in Echuca and became a quadriplegic.

A young Moama boy has become a quadriplegic after a horrific accident while riding his bike with friends.

Xavier Edwards, 13, was riding at the old BMX track in Echuca in early April with some mates when he fell and landed awkwardly.

An ambulance arrived and immediately called in a chopper.

Xavier was flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne where he remains in intensive care.

Xavier’s grandmother Roz Edwards said it has been a hard road since the accident and there was a long road ahead.

“He had a tracheotomy to help him breathe and that is still in place. I think he’s kind of struggling with that a bit. Until he gets his breathing right, he won’t be able to leave the ICU,” she said.

“He has had a couple of infections and a virus, just a few things holding him back. But we’re really hoping that once he leaves ICU, he’ll stay in the Royal Children’s, for a rehabilitation program which he could be in for anywhere from six to 12 months.”

Xavier Edwards, 13, has become a quadriplegic after he fell from his bike while riding with his friends in Echuca.

Xavier’s movement is limited to shrugging his shoulders, some small arm movements and some feeling in his thumbs.

Xavier’s father, Jase Edwards, said that Xavier was improving everyday and that he can’t wait to see what his son can achieve in rehab.

“Everyday he is doing something that he couldn’t do before. I can’t wait to get into rehab and see what he can do there,” he said.

Mr Edwards is a single dad and Xavier has two brothers – Zack, 19, who recently moved into disability care as he has autism, and Mitchell who is in grade six and living with Roz and his grandfather while Jason is in Melbourne caring for Xavier.

Xavier in hospital.

His family has been overwhelmed with support from the community since the accident.

“Jason has been by Xavier’s side the whole time,” Roz said.

“He goes to the hospital at about 7 every morning and doesn’t leave until after 9 at night.

“The other night he got a call at about 2 in the morning to go and see Xavier again and he just went. He is there for Xavier 500 per cent.”

Prior to the accident Xavier attended Echuca Secondary College and Roz describes him as “the most gorgeous boy” who loves everything typical teen boys love.

“He loves hanging with his mates, he loves his family and sports; soccer and swimming. One of his favourite things is computer games. He is just a really happy, friendly little soul,” she said.

Xavier Edwards, 13, (left) has become a quadriplegic after he fell from his bike while riding with his friends in Echuca.

Xavier is a positive young boy and Roz said he will want to “work hard” through recovery in order to get back to having a happy and successful life.

“We are really hoping that he can have a good life, it won’t be the life we thought he was going to have but with lots of positivity around him, we will give him every opportunity,” she said.

“He will want to take every opportunity offered to him.”

Mr Edwards also described his son as a “pretty normal 13-year-old boy”.

“He loves sports and has lots of mates, spends more time on the Xbox than I would probably like,” he joked.

An accident like this takes a toll on the entire family and Roz said the support the family has received from the community has been absolutely amazing.

“It effects and stretches everyone,” she said.

“The Ronald McDonald House and The Royal Children’s have been bloody amazing.”

The community has rallied around Xavier and his family, with businesses and organisations organising many fundraisers.

Essendon Football Club also donated the proceeds of its raffle to Xavier during its country tour.

“Coming from a community like this you don’t really think things like this happen here but everyone has been so amazing and supportive. When it first happened it was all doom and gloom but now there have been positives to come from it too, it isn’t all doom and gloom anymore,” Mr Edwards said.

A GoFundMe page and a Facebook page have been set up to help raise money for Xavier’s treatment, rehab and life after he leaves the hospital which will require some expensive adjustments. To donate click here.