An Australian teenager has undergone seven operations and could now lose his sight forever after crashing into a tree while riding a motorcycle.
Linden McQuire, 16, was riding with his father and friends on an off-road circuit in Mundaring State Forest, 70km east of Perth, when he crashed on August 31.
One of his friends provided first aid, while another ran from the crash site to raise the alarm as he could not get a phone signal in the park.
The teen was unconscious for 20 minutes before the pain woke him up.
Linden’s mother, Toni, said her son was in “a bad way” when he was flown to Royal Perth Hospital due to fractures to his spine, skull, face and arm.
He also suffered bleeding in his brain despite wearing protective clothing.
‘He felt every bit of pain. It was the most horrible thing for me and my husband to watch; No matter how well they relieved him, the pain did not go away,” Ms McQuire said. 7News on Tuesday.
There are now fears that Linden could lose his sight permanently after losing sight in his left eye and all peripheral vision in his right eye.
Linden McGuire (pictured) suffered fractures to his spine, skull, face and arm and bleeding on the brain after a horror motorcycle crash
Linden (pictured) was riding a motorcycle with his father and friends when he crashed into a tree
The teenager spent six weeks in Royal Perth Hospital before being transferred to Sir Charles Gairdner.
He has already undergone seven operations, including four on his brain.
His parents spend 12 hours a day at his bedside to ensure he is never alone.
The couple were warned that Linden’s recovery would be a “rollercoaster,” but were still unprepared for the shaky nature of his progress.
‘Every time something positive happened, you went back ten steps. You feel like you’re winning and then you’re afraid you’re going to lose him tonight,” Ms McQuire said.
Prior to the crash, Linden was training to be a roofer, but he now risks losing his job and driving ability if his eyesight is not restored.
There is a clinic in Germany where specialists are confident they can help the 16-year-old regain some of his vision and improve his quality of life.
The McQuires are now $50,000 raised for two trips to Berlin before treatment.
Linden (pictured) is now at risk of permanently losing most of his eyesight
The McGuire family is trying to raise $50,000 so Linden can receive specialist treatment
More than $16,000 has already been donated to their campaign.
Mrs McQuire is continually amazed by her ‘warrior’ son’s positive attitude after the crash, saying he is ‘very happy to be here and alive’.
“I don’t know if I could be as brave in his position,” she said.