GoFundMe launched for Jarrah Kearney and family after shock fall

A Sunshine Coast teen is lucky to be alive after falling several storeys from a building and waiting 12 hours to be found, as his first overseas trip turns into a nightmare.

A GoFundMe has been launched to support Jarrah Kearney and his family after he suffered serious injuries in Ireland.

A first overseas holiday took a horrific turn for a Sunshine Coast apprentice who suffered 12 hours of excruciating pain before he was found after falling several storeys from a building.

Jarrah “JJ” Kearney, 18, had never been on a plane before when he took off to see the sights of Ireland with his dad Kristian.

However on Sunday, October 8, just four days into the three-week holiday, it took a devastating turn when Jarrah fell several storeys from a building in Belfast.

It was 12 hours before Jarrah, who could not scream for help due to a collapsed lung, was found.

Tegan Kubler, who spoke on behalf of the family, said Jarrah has suffered horrific injuries and will spend six weeks in hospital before returning to Australia for rehabilitation.

“It’s unfathomable,” she said.

“Luckily they had a heatwave or he would have died.”

Jarrah suffered two collapsed lungs, a broken femur and eye socket, as well as brain damage.

A recent MRI revealed he suffered a brain contusion from the fall, Ms Kubler said, and as a result he has no memory of how it happened.

Currently conscious and in a stable condition, it is expected he will remain in hospital for six weeks and go through an even longer period of recovery and rehabilitation.

Jarrah Kearney is in hospital in Ireland after he sustained serious injuries in a fall.

Mr Kearney will remain in hospital in Ireland for at least six weeks.

Ms Kubler said his mother Reef and stepdad Matt Kubler were desperate to travel to Ireland to be by his side.

A GoFundMe to help relieve the financial burden including for travel costs, as well as rehabilitation expenses has already raised more than $18,000.

Ms Kubler said the stress and worry has made it hard for his mother to even keep down a meal.

Mr Kearney had not been on a holiday or even a plane before his trip overseas.

“They’re such a close family and for her to be so far away from him during what is the worst thing to have ever happened has just been horrible for her,” she said.

Jarrah grew up on the Sunshine Coast and woks as an apprentice carpenter for his father.

“He’s so fun and friendly and just kind to everybody and a reflection of his parents,” Ms Kubler said.

“He’s loved by everybody, he’s a larrikin, he’s funny.

“He loves to make people smile and he’ll drop everything and help you in a heartbeat.”

The family thanked the community for the “amazing support”, particularly WindanSea Boardriders.

Originally published as GoFundMe launched for Jarrah Kearney and family after shock fall