Man struck by large tree branch ahead of 30th birthday party

The man was gearing up for his birthday celebrations when he failed to return his partner’s calls.

A man is lucky to be alive after being struck by a large tree branch as he was preparing for his 30th birthday party.

Ulladulla man Jamie Kemp was gathering firewood for his 30th birthday bonfire on December 31 when the incident unfolded.

Alarm bells rang for his partner Rosie when Mr Kemp didn’t return her calls.

Jamie Kemp was struck by a large tree branch while chopping firewood on New Year’s Eve. Picture: Supplied/Facebook

“He had one last small load of firewood to cut that morning, so he headed out to do that,” his family wrote on GoFundMe.

“A few hours had passed, Rosie had not heard back from him after trying to call him repeatedly with no answer.

“She found his location and immediately went to the area where Jamie was found with a massive head injury.”

Mr Kemp was flown to Royal North Shore Hospital for emergency surgery and was placed under sedation.

He is undergoing rehabilitation after suffering a ‘massive’ brain injury. Picture: Supplied

“Jamie was in ICU for 11 days plus a further 9 days in hospital before being transferred to rehab where remains now,” his family wrote.

“This is not how Jamie expected to see his 30th birthday and it has been a very traumatic unexpected tragedy.”

While Mr Kemp’s future is “unpredictable”, his loved ones are hopeful he will make a full recovery.

“With the help of doctors, nurses, physios and therapists, as well as Jamie’s sheer strength and determination, he has grown stronger and is kicking goals each day,” his family said.

The Kemp family has set a target of $50,000 to fund Mr Kemp’s “medical and general expenses”, raising just less than $6000 since creating the GoFundMe page on Monday afternoon.

Originally published as Man struck by large tree branch ahead of 30th birthday party