Warwick community rallying for Mick Rynne who was left a paraplegic after tragic crash on a suburban street

A southwest Queensland man was riding his motorcycle to a job interview when he was involved in a head-on crash, rendering him a paraplegic. He has a long journey ahead of him, and here’s how you can help.

Mick Rynne's life changed forever when a driver allegedly failed to give way and collided with Mick's motorcycle, leaving him paralysed.

A devastating crash has left a southwest Queensland man unable to walk after a vehicle collided with his motorcycle on a suburban street.

Warwick man Mick Rynne was heading to a job interview when another vehicle allegedly drove through a give way sign on Hawker Rd and crashed straight into Mick’s motorcycle which was travelling south on Weewondilla Rd on March 13.

The crash left Mick in a critical condition and he was flown to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital before he was transferred to the Princess Alexandra Hospital where he remains.

Mick was travelling south on Weewondilla Rd when a vehicle drove through a give way sign on Hawker Rd colliding with Mick's motorcycle.

His wife, Kaz Rynne was working in her art room at their home, just a block from the crash, when a police vehicle pulled up outside.

“I didn’t notice that he was late because I thought he’d go to the interview and was coming back,” she said.

“The police car pulled up out across the road and somehow I knew it was for me, and my heart started beating.”

It wasn’t long after Mick arrived in Brisbane for treatment when the Rynne family received more devastating news that as a result of his major spinal injuries he was declared paraplegic.

Kaz said she was shocked by how quickly the doctors made the finding, preparing herself to break the news to her husband when she arrived at the hospital the next morning.

“His son was there and he said we won’t say anything about him being a paraplegic at this stage because he’s got so much going on, but then he (Mick) started talking about wheelchairs and things like that so he knew,” she said.

Despite this life-changing event, Kaz said Mick’s spirits have remained intact with discussions already in the mix about the hobbies and activities he can still participate in once he returns home.

Mick is now waiting for a bed in the Spinal Unit at Princess Alexandra Hospital where he could spend up to a year in recovery. Photo: Supplied

“I do not know if I would handle it as well as he has for someone that always been active and had very physical jobs, he is bloody amazing with his attitude because he’s had so much pain, but he’s still there and is still hanging on,” she said.

Kaz said she’s been overwhelmed by the growing support from the Warwick community with dozens reaching out to offer a hand in any way they can.

“It’s so nice because we don’t have family close by and it’s been such a positive part of this terrible experience to have people that are so generous in spirit,” she said.

Member of the local motorcycle community Karen Ward has been rallying support for the Rynne family, having set up a GoFundMe to help with Mick’s medical costs and alterations to their home once he’s been discharged from hospital.

“Mick and Kaz own their home, but it is not wheelchair accessible. The goal of this campaign is to help raise funds to make their home wheelchair-friendly before Mick returns from the hospital,” Ms Ward wrote.

“This will be a huge step in making Mick’s transition back to home life a little easier and more manageable for both him and Kaz.”

Mick is now waiting a bed in the spinal unit at the PA Hospital where he could spend up to a year.

Originally published as Warwick community rallying for Mick Rynne who was left a paraplegic after tragic crash on a suburban street