Fighting for 'miraculous' survival

A young Tauranga woman living in Australia is fighting for her life after suffering horrific injuries in a crash on Sunday.

Diane Wilson, 23, is an induced coma in Melbourne's Alfred Hospital, following the T-bone crash which left her with a smashed pelvis, broken neck and brain bleeds.


Doctors say it's a miracle Diane Wilson even survived the crash.

The tragic accident has devastated Diane's family – who have watched her overcome years of painful surgeries to reshape her face and head.

Diane was born was Crouzon's Syndrome, a condition which fused the bones of her face together. She endured numerous surgeries from ages one to 17.

Her father, Craig Wilson, has flown from Tauranga to be by her side and this morning told SunLive his daughter has touched so many lives.

He says Diane had a CT scan overnight and they are waiting to talk with her neurosurgeon in a couple of hours with the results.

'Depending on how it went, they are intending to do surgery on her today to put the top joint of her spine, where it joins at the base of the skull, back together.

'She is still very heavily sedated.”

Craig says his son Michael, who lives in Perth, and daughter Bianca, who lives in Auckland with her partner Brett and baby Brodie, and Diane's mother Susie are all at the hospital daily.

'My wife Kathryn has sadly had to remain home for now as we also have our eight-year old son Riley and six-year old daughter Myesha to look after.

'They, of course, are very sad for their big sister, and Kat is as devastated over this as any real mum would be.

'She has known Diane since she was 10 years old. It's all a bit of a haze for us over here right now.”

The doctors told Craig last night Diane's survival is 'still by no means a given”.

'It's not crossed their minds to even consider not continuing to aggressively treat her. Bianca asked him (the doctor) straight out if it would be a miracle for her to pull through this.

'His reply was 'Yes, and it's already a miracle she survived the crash”.

Diane moved to Melbourne five years ago. A week before the crash, Diane was promoted to manager of the housekeeping department at the Hotel Lindrum, says Craig.

'It's been a huge achievement for her after lots of hard work and study. She would have started in that role next week.”

A Give A Little page has been set up to help raise money for Diane's recovery and has so far managed to raise $1232, surpassing its goal of $500.

People wishing to donate can do so via the www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/Wilsonfamily

The crash at the intersection of Through Road and Toorak Road in Melbourne happened about 2.10am (Australian time).

Police have confirmed one of the driver's involved had alcohol in their system.

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1 comment

OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU DIANE

Posted on 03-09-2014 13:13 | By TCLANG

Blessings on your recovery and to aid your loving family in these challenges.


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