The family of high school student Lilly Hayes are at her bedside as she fights for life following a head-on collision on a country road north of Gympie.
Lilly, who attends James Nash State High School in Gympie, was one of two people flown to hospital with critical injuries after the crash, which happened while two cars were travelling in opposite directions on the Miva Rd, about 2.30pm Saturday.
Lilly was flown to the Queensland Children’s Hospital and a man in his 20s who was driving the car, was airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, also in a critical condition.
A QCH spokeswoman said on Monday afternoon Lilly remained in a critical condition.
Six other people, who were the occupants of the other vehicle, a four-wheel drive, were treated by paramedics at the scene and then taken to Gympie Hospital with minor injuries.
On Monday, June 12,. a GoFundMe campaign was launched to help Lilly and her family, including her mother Meagan who remains “by her bedside”.
Lilly Hayes was one of eight people injured in a horror crash at Gunalda on Saturday, June 10. The driver of the car was flown to a Royal Brisbane Hospital, while the six people from the 4WD travelling in the other direction were taken to Gympie Hospital with minor injuries. Photo: Seven News
“This beautiful family aren‘t ones to reach out and ask for help,” campaign creator Sherryn Wynne wrote in the post.
“They’re used to being on the other side and are always the first to offer help to those in need.”
Ms Wynne said Lilly’s recovery and rehabilitation was going to be “extensive”, and with their Curra home more than two hours from Brisbane, there would be a “massive” emotional and financial strain on the family.
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Brisbane’s Ronald McDonald House has given Lilly’s mother a place to stay in the city, she said, and “it would be so great if we could take some financial pressure off them so that they can be together as a family in Brisbane to support each other and be with Lilly”.
The campaign comes as more details about the crash emerge, with some of the people first at the scene on Saturday revealing their efforts to help Lilly and the car’s driver.
Bobby-Jean Lavell, in a social media post, revealed she “held (Lilly in the recovery position and made sure she kept breathing” until paramedics arrived.
Police have called for witnesses to the crash, or anyone with information, to please come forward.
No-one has been charged over the crash.