Nemani Ranuve wakes after being struck by motorbike in horror Gympie crash

The family of a young man left fighting for life after being struck by a motorbike in a horror accident has shared a major breakthrough in his recovery.

Nemani Ranuve has woken up seven weeks after being left in a coma when he was struck by a motorbike in Gympie.

Nemani Ranuve’s seven-week-long fight for life following an horrific accident in Gympie has a taken a major step forward with the 20-year-old man now awake.

The milestone in the young Tin Can Bay man’s recovery was revealed on Wednesday, with his mother Jill Ranuve saying the family was “overjoyed” by the development given the severity of his injuries.

Nemani was left in a coma at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital after being struck by a motorbike only a week before Christmas.

His injuries included severe damage to his jaw, leg and right eye.

He was walking with friends along Excelsior Rd, not far from Gympie Central Shopping Centre, in the early hours of Sunday December 18 when he was hit.

Jill Ranuve said her son Nemani has woken up after spending more than a month in a coma following an horrific crash in which he was struck by a motorbike.

No charges have been laid and investigations are ongoing, police said.

Mrs Ranuve said her son had a “long way to go” in his recovery.

As a result of his injuries doctors had been forced to perform “major brain surgery”, and he had suffered several “mini strokes”.

Since waking he has been paralysed on his left side, his swallowing and vision have been affected, and he is unable to talk.

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Nemani Ranuve, pictured here with sister Jorja, is facing up to a year of rehabilitation as a result of the injuries he suffered in the accident. His mother Jill said it was not clear whether he would be able to return home or would need to remain in care.

“We still don’t know if we will get to bring him home or if he might end up in a care home,” Mrs Ranuve said.

It was unclear if he would recover movement in the paralysed side, she said, although the hope was some function would return with rehabilitation.

The doctors would reassess his progress after three months to determine the next steps in Nemani’s care.

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“The financial side is very difficult with going to Brisbane three times a week and the costs we will need for when we hopefully get to bring Nemani home,” Mrs Ranuve said.

A fundraiser, started by Nemani’s friend Izaak Cole who described him as a loveable larrikin, has raised more than $17,000 to date.

Mrs Ranuve thanked the community for their “amazing” support.

“I am so proud of my boy for not giving up,” she said.

Originally published as Nemani Ranuve wakes after being struck by motorbike in horror Gympie crash