An Australian father is facing a long road to recovery from life-threatening injuries sustained in a freak accident while fishing in Papua New Guinea.
Just two days into what was meant to be a dream fishing trip for a group of friends, a freak wave capsized their boat.
While most of the group escaped unscathed, father-of-two Adam Sharam, from Inverell in NSW, was hit by the boat’s propeller.
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Sharam was pulled from the water and his quick-thinking friend, named only as Brendan, managed to stem the bleeding until paramedics arrived.
“If it wasn’t for his friend who thought very clearly and helped Adam … he wouldn’t be with us today,” Sharam’s mother, Helen Travers, told 7NEWS.com.au.
“We are so very grateful for him.”
Sharam — who recently welcomed baby son Jake and is also father to three-year-old Tilly — sustained a fractured skull and severe leg wounds in the November 12 accident.
He was taken to Port Moresby Hospital where he went straight into emergency surgery.
“His injuries are horrific … I’ve been sent some photos and they are very graphic … but at least he’s still with us … he was very lucky,” his mother said.
Sharam spent a few days in the ICU undergoing multiple brain scans and surgery and treatment for his leg injuries.
While Travers says he is extremely lucky to be alive, Sharam still faces an uphill battle.
“He’s been very lucky not to lose his leg … but we don’t know what the full extent of his knee damage is and what underlying issues there will be,” she said.
Sharam remains in Port Moresby Hospital awaiting medical clearance to fly back home to his wife and children.
“We wanted to get him home as soon as possible but unfortunately it will cost a $78,000 medical evacuation bill,” Travers said.
“And we just don’t have that kind of money.”
Travers said Sharam is a “keen fishing buff” who always puts others first.
“He is very fun-loving,” she said.
“He absolutely loves his fishing, he goes out after a hard day at work.
“He always teaches other people and shares his knowledge with them.”
His family and friends are rallying to help, setting up a fundraising page to bring him home.
“Adam is always the first person to help someone in need, and now he needs your help,” the fundraiser reads.
“Unfortunately, like a lot of us do, Adam didn’t take out travel insurance and now pays the price of a huge medical expense and is miles away from his family who are missing him dearly.”