The son of a beloved reality TV veteran was sent away from hospital for days before he was hit by a train because he didn’t hurt himself.
Drew Dowsley miraculously survived after being hit by a train and lying beside the tracks for seven hours before being discovered by emergency services.
He has undergone multiple operations at a Sydney hospital after losing his left hand, injuring his right and suffering a shattered spine that caused bleeding in the brain.
Drew is the son of Helen Dowsley who has worked on reality TV shows such as The Bachelor, Farmer Wants A Wife and The Masked Singer.
Family friend Victoria St John revealed Drew was experiencing mental health issues at the time.
“In the days leading up to the accident, Drew was in psychosis and sought help for his mental health at a hospital, but was turned away and told they couldn’t help him unless he hurt himself or someone else,” said them.
‘He was found seven hours after the accident and although he miraculously survived, the road to recovery will be long and challenging, both physically and mentally.’
Ms St John said the incident ‘could have been avoided’.
Drew, the son of make-up artist Helen Dowsley, miraculously survived after being hit by a train and lying beside the tracks for seven hours before being discovered by emergency services.
“Drew is undergoing surgeries every second day and will face a long recovery from this horrific ordeal,” she said.
She has since had one GoFundMe to go toward Drew’s medical bills, with nearly $40,000 raised so far.
“He has shown remarkable resilience and survived despite serious injuries,” Ms St John said.
‘The road to recovery will be long and challenging, both physically and mentally.’
She praised Drew’s mother for being “kind-hearted and selfless” and “always uplifting others with her positivity.”
“She’s the one who guides us through our life dramas on set, and now it’s our turn to stand by her and Drew,” she wrote.
‘We aim to raise $50,000 to help with ongoing medical and legal costs, and to help Helen provide the care Drew needs while balancing her work commitments and caring for her 95-year-old mother .’
Mrs Dowsley now travels daily from the NSW Southern Highlands to Sydney to be at her son’s bedside.
Helen Dowsley (pictured with Abbie Chatfield) has worked on shows including The Bachelor, Farmer Wants A Wife and The Masked Singer
Australian TV stars such as Abbie Chatfield have rallied behind Ms Dowsley and her family following the incident.
Chatfield tearfully took to Instagram and explained that Drew had already suffered a psychotic episode several days before the train incident.
“He presented to hospital but was sent away as he had not yet harmed himself or others,” she said.
“He ran in front of a train that night and was seriously injured.”
Chatfield described the make-up artist as “the most generous and beautiful woman” and said Ms Dowsley always looked after everyone on set.
The Gofundme campaign has since been shared by many of the stars who worked with Ms Dowsley, including Carla From Bankstown, Alex Nation and Brittney Weldon.
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