Relatives of a young Irish man have been flown halfway around the world to be at his bedside after he was hit by a car in Sydney, leaving him with devastating injuries.
Beoan Jones, from the small village of Maguiresbridge in Northern Ireland, had been in Australia for a few months 'getting his bearings' when the horrific incident left him 'broken all over' and with serious injuries.
According to NSW Police, the 25-year-old was walking along the Bradfield Highway, about 400 meters south of the Sydney Harbor Bridge, when he was struck by a car at about 8.50pm on Saturday, November 11.
He was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition with broken ribs, a broken pelvis, multiple neck fractures and bleeding on the brain.
Sydney resident Barry Carey, who knows Jones' family, said the car seemed to come “out of nowhere.”
He said the mechanic had moved to Australia three months ago and was “really enjoying his life here”.
Beoan Jones, 25, had been in Australia for three months and was about to move in with his girlfriend when he was hit by a car in Sydney
He was walking along the Bradfield Highway, about 400 meters south of the Sydney Harbor Bridge, on November 11 (pictured)
Within a few weeks he would move into an apartment with his girlfriend Cloadagh.
“I have spoken to his mother Rose and she is just distraught but so grateful that he is alive,” Mr Carey wrote on a GoFundMe raise money for medical costs.
“It's heartbreaking for everyone who knows and loves him.”
Mr Carey said Jones' “distraught” mother and sister had flown to Australia to be by his side.
“Imagine what it would be like for someone to be so far away from home, on the other side of the world, and for their family to receive a call like that,” he said.
“The struggles and the rehabilitation ahead of him… all we can do is hope and have a little faith that he will have the best recovery possible.
A friend said the 25-year-old mechanic was “really enjoying” life in Australia
Jones' sister, Neamh Jones, said he is in hospital with serious injuries but has “made it through two major surgeries.”
“Beoan has a long journey ahead of him,” she said.
“We would like to thank you for everyone's thoughts and prayers so far, it has really made a difference.”
Police said the driver, a 47-year-old man, and his passenger were unharmed and the driver was taken to hospital for mandatory tests.