British big-wave surfer Tom Lowe suffers broken ribs and internal bleeding after a massive fallout in Tahiti
- Tom Lowe, 29, was hospitalized with six broken ribs and internal bleeding
- He was surfing in Tahiti when he was thrown headfirst into the ocean
British big-wave surfer Tom Lowe was hospitalized with six broken ribs and internal bleeding after a massive scrape in Tahiti.
The 29-year-old father of a child was surfing the waves off the coast of Teahupo’o in southern Tahiti on Friday when he was thrown headfirst into the Pacific Ocean.
Video shows Lowe taking off late on a large wave before losing his balance and being thrown into shallow water where sharp pieces of coral cut into his body.
Lowe, from St Ives, Cornwall, was nowhere to be seen when the huge wave crashed on top of him in the horrific incident.
Those who watched in horror at the destruction rushed to rescue the critically injured surfer from the water before airlifting him to a nearby hospital.
British big-wave surfer Tom Lowe was hospitalized (pictured) with six broken ribs and internal bleeding after a massive scrape in Tahiti
The father of one child, 29, was injured after the fallout. Pictured: Lowe surfing in Newquay, UK, in August 2014
Lowe underwent surgery and a blood transfusion after suffering six broken ribs, a broken scapula and internal bleeding. When his pregnant wife Tess and daughter Tigerlilly learned of the life-threatening accident, they rushed to his bedside.
“I feel really lucky to have made it,” Lowe wrote in an Instagram post.
“It was a tough day,” Lowe later told Surfline. “But I am whole and I will come back, reborn and fit.”
Lowe’s friend Greg Long has since had one GoFundMe page to help generate runs for the surfer’s “extensive” medical bills as his insurance won’t cover his treatment.
Long wrote, “During the recent monumental swell at Teahupo’o, Tahiti, Tom suffered a severe lunge.
His resulting injuries from hitting the reef required him to be airlifted to hospital, where he underwent multiple emergency surgeries.
“He is currently in stable condition, but will need to be closely monitored in the hospital for the next few days.”
Lowe (pictured) underwent surgery and a blood transfusion after suffering six broken ribs, a broken scapula and internal bleeding
Long said any donations will help Lowe and his family cover his medical expenses and support his rehabilitation process.
“Tom has been a good friend for many years,” Long wrote. “Anyone who has ever met Tom knows him as a humble, friendly and talented surfer who is a devoted family man to his wife Tess, daughter Tigerlilly and baby-to-be on the road.
Tom has a long road ahead of him, but true to his nature he is positive, combative and expresses his sincere gratitude for all the love and support shown to him.
“It’s not in my nature to ask for alms, but in this case I don’t know what I would have done without it,” Lowe said of the donations. $36,000 (£28,800) has been raised so far.
“I am completely overwhelmed and humbled by the generosity and kindness everyone has shown,” said Lowe. “Thanks for all your positive energy and thoughtful messages.”