Colac: Michelle Pillar’s unbelievable story of determination after losing legs in Carlisle River crash

A young truck driver has been delivered the harrowing news she lost her legs in a horror crash in southwest Victoria. But she is determined not to give up. 

A 25-year-old truck driver is “getting stronger every day” after she was delivered the harrowing news she lost her legs in a horror crash in southwest Victoria.

The Cobden kid spent her childhood in her dad’s truck; she would sit in the passenger seat with her Barbies and books while her dad, Ken, drove them across Australia.

Michelle Pillar, who lives in Colac, was dad’s driving partner up until she was 16.

She left school for an apprenticeship in diesel mechanics until at 20 she decided to get behind the wheel of a truck like her older brother and dad.

Michelle, “the light of everyone’s life”, had been driving trucks for five years when she crashed on a bridge at Carlisle River in Victoria’s southwest on January 10.

When emergency services arrived the truck was upside down and crews had to build a makeshift platform in the riverbed just so they could get to her.

Michelle’s right foot was stuck under the accelerator and her leg had to be amputated to get her out. She was trapped for 12 hours and days later had her other leg removed to survive.

Stepmum, Belinda Thornton said Michelle was “gaining more strength each day” since.

She said she was told she lost her legs two weeks ago and has had “good and bad days” since being delivered the heartbreaking news.

“But her strength is amazing and she just wants to get on with life and make it the best she can,” she said.

“Giving her a hug was an unbelievable feeling after everything.

“Xanda (Ms Thornton’s son) said she loves Shell the way she is and that just melted my heart.”

It is the latest tragedy in a series of dramatic events for Michelle’s family.

Her father was involved in a fatal crash in South Australia in 2015. He was found guilty at trial of causing the death of Mount Gambier schoolteacher Maria Dowdell near Murray Bridge.

He was sentenced to almost four years jail in 2017.

Today Ken is devastated for his daughter; just weeks ago he didn’t think he would see his little girl again.

She remains in a stable condition on a ventilator in Alfred hospital where she can have limited contact with her family because of Covid-19 restrictions.

“She’s always been daddy’s little girl, she could do no wrong but it’s absolutely heartbreaking seeing her now,” Ken said.

“She has nightmares and still thinks she’s in the truck.

“She tries to sit up in bed and screams ‘Daddy, don’t let me die’.”

Ken says she has been confused since the accident and in her moments of clarity asks her dad to take her home.

Doctors say she will be able to have a prosthetic on her right leg but are unsure if her left is strong enough.

But Ken says “one won’t be enough” for his “strong-willed” daughter and she will prove them wrong.

Ms Thornton said the tragedy would only be a detour for Michelle.

“She’s a big achiever and I believe she will still achieve big, it’s just a little setback right now,” she said.

Belinda says she’s had some bad days but others are “amazing” when she wakes up.

“She heard my voice and she woke up and put her hand on her chest and that was a really special moment,” she said.

Michelle spent her childhood by her dad and brother’s side after their mum died when they were young.

Now she has four step-siblings and two half-siblings.

“I call myself Michelle’s step-parent because I don’t want to replace her mother,” Belinda said.

“Her mother is her guardian angel looking over her, she saved her in the crash.”

Michelle’s friend Kourtnie Prolongeau said a ‘give ‘em hell Michelle’ campaign had already raised more than $100,000 and proved her popularity.

“She’s the one that lights up the room, the happiest girl I knew,” she said.

Kourtnie said Michelle had always been the “strong” one but now the “tables have turned”.

“Now it’s the time for us to be strong for her,” she said.

“People are donating cows and everything.”

Another friend Allyson Sheen said when she needed a place to stay in Year 10, Michelle didn’t hesitate to take her in.

“Even before she told her parents she said ‘You’re coming to live with me’ so I stayed for a fair few years,” Allyson said.

She added: “She’s created a pretty big community of people that love her.”

Michelle has a long road ahead of her but her family say if anyone can recover from such a traumatic event, it’s her.

“She’s our fighter,” her dad said.

To donate: Account name: Fight Michelle; BSB: 013900; account number: 155277557

GoFundMe