A 22-year-old woman who bravely fought for her life for two months after a horror crash has sadly died in hospital.
Macy Edwards was heading home to the Tasmanian town of Wynyard from a tour guide training course in Launceston on March 28 when the accident happened.
She was rushed to Hobart hospital where she remained in an induced coma as specialist doctors treated her injuries.
Once stable, Ms Edwards was flown to Melbourne suffering from brain and heart trauma and broken ribs, pelvis and collarbone.
Tragically, after 10 weeks in hospital, a spokesperson for the Edwards family announced on Friday that Ms Edwards had died.
‘It is with overwhelming heartbreak that we let you know that yesterday Macy passed away surrounded by her family,’ they said.
‘Words cannot ease the pain we know this will cause many of you. I can only encourage you with the faith that Macy is now free and forever 22 – her life was full of adventure, laughs and vibrancy, and that will remain her legacy.
‘We ask that you all continue to come together as a community to wrap your arms around each other and the Edwards’ through this difficult time. We will provide an update on funeral details in the coming days.’
A GoFundMe account established days after the accident raised more than $61,655 to support Ms Edwards’ family, including her mother Celisa, who is a deputy mayor in the state’s north east.
The fundraiser’s organisers, Allie House and Fiona Pearce, said Macy was ‘destined to help people’.
‘Over the past 10 weeks you have flooded Steve, Celisa, Kinae, Lakia and Themis with the most extraordinary amount of love, prayer, thoughts, acts of service and generosity, and on behalf of the family, thank you doesn’t feel enough,’ they said.
‘You have all entirely carried them through this as they cared for Macy and willed her to recover with everything they had.
‘Unfortunately, the extent and permanence of Macy’s brain injuries were unrecoverable and yesterday heaven inherited the most joy-filled soul it will ever have.’
Mayor of Burnie Teeny Brumby took to Facebook to share her condolences.
‘Our community aches with the Edwards’ family for their loss, as Macy was a vivacious, adventurous and spirited young lady, who served us coffee in several cafes on the coast,’ she said.
‘She will be deeply missed. I just wanted to extend our heartfelt condolences to the Edwards family on behalf of our North West Coast community at this time.’