A young woman left fighting for life after a horror gas explosion at a craft brewery has a long road to recovery ahead of her.
Jordana Hibbard, 24, was working in the kitchen as a chef at Six String Brewing Company, in Erina on the NSW Central Coast when the blast occurred on October 28.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and treated Ms Hibbard for serious burns.
She was taken to Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition.
Ten days later, Ms Hibbard is still in intensive care and will remain in hospital for another month.
Doctors initially estimated she suffered burns to 25 percent of her body, which has since been reduced to 20 percent.
Her boyfriend Rhys Saultry said her health is slowly improving after she underwent her first skin transplant last Friday.
“She’s been intubated twice (and) can’t really talk,” he said 7news.com.au.
Jordana Hibbard, 24 (pictured) suffered serious burns after the gas explosion that took place around 11.30am last Monday
Ms Hibbard was working in the kitchen of the Six String Brewing Company (pictured) when the explosion occurred
‘That hurt her vocal chords. She’s usually the loudest talker in the room.”
Ms Hibbard had breathing problems after undergoing her first round of surgery.
She then contracted Covid-19 but has now tested negative for the disease and her breathing has returned to normal.
“Her hands and arms are… badly burned,” Mr Saultry said.
Ms Hibbard will remain in hospital for at least another four weeks and may undergo a second round of skin grafting next week.
Family members and employees of Six String Brewing have rallied around the couple since the explosion.
‘This will be just the beginning of her long and difficult journey back to recovery. She will have to undergo months of physical therapy and hospital visits before she can return to work.” GoFundMe set up by her workplace read.
Ms Hibbard (pictured) remains in intensive care more than a week after the blast and underwent her first round of skin grafting last week.
Ms Hibbard was treated at the scene before being flown to Sydney in a critical condition
“We are putting together a care package to help her [Ms Hibbard] through the hard times in the hospital and to let her know that we are all thinking of her.
‘It goes without saying that Jordana, as a member of the Six String family, will be fully covering her medical expenses and wages, but we hope we can help raise the money to help her family through this difficult time . .
‘It will be a long road and her boyfriend and family will have to take extended periods of time off work to help her recover.
‘It is crucial that she can fully concentrate on her recovery and not have to worry about her family taking time off to support her.
“It is our hope that we can help raise the money to help her family through this difficult time.”
Jordanna Hibbard still has another month in the hospital ahead of her
Nearly $3,500 has been raised so far toward the $15,000 goal.
Mr Saultry said the brewery’s support had been overwhelming and said Ms Hibbard loves her job as a chef.
The explosion is not considered suspicious.