Community backs family after Mark Peebles miraculously survives horror crash, Terrey Hills

A young northern Sydney dad remains in hospital with severe injuries following a crash which left him with shattered legs, a spinal fracture, no short-term memory and a painful and long road to recovery.

Mark Peebles pictured with young daughter

A young northern Sydney dad remains in hospital with severe injuries following a crash which left him with shattered legs, a spinal fracture, no short-term memory and a painful and long road to recovery.

Mark Peebles, 33, a dad to two kids and who owns a roofing business, slammed into a pole at 6:30am on May 9 at Terrey Hills while en route to a job.

Cafe staff across the road reported hearing a “huge bang” and called triple-0.

Mr Peebles’ ute, as seen in shocking photos, shows the work vehicle in a crumpled and twisted pile of metal, with the tray folded upward in a right angle.

Mr Peebles, who is from Sydney’s North Shore, was transported in a critical condition to the Royal North Shore Hospital, where as of Thursday, he has undergone five lifesaving surgeries.

Mark and Moni Peebles pictured with young daughter, photo supplied by Moni Peebles.

After the multiple surgeries and complications, he remains in hospital with compound fractures in both legs, a fractured spine and a collapsed lung.

Mr Peebles has faced chest infections from the impact to his chest, prolonging his stay in the ICU.

Family friend Kim Isik has since launched a GoFundMe fundraiser after accompanying Mr Peebles’ wife to hospital after the crash.

“It was the longest five minute drive of our lives, we were waiting to see if had pulled through,” she told TheDaily Telegraph.

Mark and Moni Peebles, picture supplied by Moni Peebles.

“Her focus should be on Mark and the kids, not worrying about money.

“He’s not out of the woods yet. He’s battling terrible memory loss … the doctors say it could be months before he’s out of hospital. They need all the support they can get.

The community around the Peebles family have donated meals, offered trades assistance for Mr Peebles’ work, and rallied around the family as they face what doctors say could be a six-month recovery.

“I think on the first day at least 20 different soups were dropped off for Moni and the kids,” Ms Isik said.

Mr Peebles’ wife, Moni Peebles was described as “stoic” after the crash.

“She hasn’t even had a moment to break down,” Ms Isik added.

“She’s been overwhelmed with everything — the kids, the insurance, the work she’s had to put on hold.

“Mark is a hands-on dad — the kind of bloke who cooks and picks them up from daycare.”

His young daughter, 3, is “missing daddy and has been very confused”.

The fundraiser has raised more than $7600 at time of publication.

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Originally published as Community backs family after Mark Peebles miraculously survives horror crash, Terrey Hills