Noosa triathlete Alexa Leary spends 20th birthday in hospital after horror cycling crash

Sunshine Coast triathlete Alexa Leary is spending her 20th birthday in hospital as she continues showing signs of improvement after a horror cycling crash. SEE THE VIDEO

Sunshine Coast triathlete Alexa Leary is showing major signs of improvement after a horror cycling accident at Pomona on July 17.

The successful triathlete, who embarked on her professional career 10 months ago, was placed in an induced coma and suffered major injuries including a fractured scapula, shoulder blade, wrist, ribs, a collapsed lung and serious nerve damage.

On Wednesday Ms Leary spent her 20th birthday at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, where she had been since the crash.

Ms Leary’s father Russell said she continued to show signs of improvement.

“Everyday is two steps forward and one step back at the moment,” he said.

“The fluid from her brain isn't draining as well as they thought and there are still quite a few unknowns but we’ve seen some positives so that’s what we’re focusing on.

“Things change every minute but she’s now murmuring with people in a low voice, she's been more reactive, she looks a lot better and is smiling a lot more.

“She has lost a lot of weight, the extent of her nerve damage is still unknown but her human interaction and ability to eat is getting better.”

Family and friends are rallying around the popular young woman and encouraging people to show their support through the Instagram page Moveforlex.

The page had more than 27 thousand followers and Mr Leary said the support was a huge help.

“We’ll show her the page on our phones and she will pull it in close and respond really well to it all,” Mr Leary said.

“Her mind is reacting to these videos, pictures and messages of support like you wouldn't believe.

“It’s the start of a real movement and it’s helping her, it’s helping us and it’s helping so many others in such a simple way.”

Triathlete Alexa Leary (middle) with parents Russell (left) and Belinda (right) celebrating her 20th birthday from the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.

Mr Leary said it was a way for people to share their support and keep active.

“We’ve had an overwhelming amount of support from not only friends and family but from athletes and people all over the world,” he said.

“This page is an easy way for people to realise how lucky they are that they can get out and get active.

“It’s not an easy situation we’re in but we’re continuing to stand tall and thankful for the support we’ve received.”

Originally published as Noosa triathlete Alexa Leary spends 20th birthday in hospital after horror cycling crash