Warrnambool community rallies around father-of-two Tyson Purcell injured in horrific workplace accident

The family of a father-of-two left seriously injured and bedridden after a horrific workplace accident has opened up the long road to recovery.

Tyson Purcell, 32, was working on a farm in Illowa, Warrnambool, on Victoria’s south-west coast, on January 31 when the accident occurred.

The young father was attaching his harness to a water tank when he took a wrong step and fell eight feet to the concrete below.

The self-employed pump and irrigation specialist landed on the back of his head.

Mr Purcell suffered multiple injuries, including a fractured skull, two brain haemorrhages and a cut to his left thigh.

The self-employed also injured the opening in the base of his skull where the spinal cord connects to the brain, the foramen magnum.

The father was initially treated at the scene but was then flown to Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital where he remained for several days.

After being released from hospital, Mr Purcell will now be on bed rest for at least three months to recover.

Doctors hope that both the brain bleeds and fractures will heal, and the father will likely need rehabilitation.

The irrigation worker has been told that he now has an increased risk of a stroke or seizure as a result of the brain haemorrhages from which he continues to suffer.

Mr Purcell’s fiancée, Jess Evans, has taken leave but no longer has leave rights, leaving the young family currently without any source of income.

Family friend Mel Howley, said 7news.com.au that the couple is currently in a difficult situation.

Ms Howley said Mr Purcell’s freedom of movement is restricted and ‘extremely difficult’.

‘It’s a long road. He was told three months, but who knows, honestly, how long he won’t be able to work or drive,” she said.

Ms Evans, a disability services worker, cares for her fiancé and runs after their two children, aged 10 and 8, and two dogs.

Ms Howley said the mother runs around after the children, organizes school pick-ups and takes her fiancé to appointments, leaving her exhausted.

Friends, family and the local community have rallied around Tyson and his fiancée Jess (pictured with their family)

What makes matters worse is that the fear that something else could happen to Mr Purcell, such as a stroke, is having a negative impact on Ms Evans.

The couple were described by Mrs Howley as ‘extremely generous’ and the first to help others.

Mrs. Howley has one online fundraiser to assist with ongoing medical bills.

‘I’m raising money for this wonderful family so they can focus on healing, without the stress of wondering how to put food on the table, fuel their car for specialist visits in Melbourne, or pay for the multitude to doctors/physiotherapy. accounts,” the page reads

“Anyone who knows Tyson and Jess knows they would happily give the shirt off their back to someone else.

Mrs Evans thanked family, friends and community members who have come together to support the family as they try to get back on their feet.

More than $5,700 has been raised.

“Health is our number one priority right now, so it’s nice to know that the kindness of others means we can focus on healing as a family without the burden of stressing about how to pay for all future medical appointments,” says Ms. Evans said.

Ms Howley added that the positive response to the fundraiser showed what kind of people the couple are.