UK family of young man critically injured in alleged Auckland bar assault granted border exemption after desperate plea to see their son

The UK-based family of a young man who was critically injured in an alleged assault at an Auckland bar last week has been granted a border exemption so they can be at his bedside, Immigration NZ said on Wednesday.

Newshub spoke to Dawn and Ian Storer, the parents of 25-year-old Josh Storer, who is currently in an induced coma in the ICU at Auckland Hospital.

"It's everything," says Ian, after learning of the decision.

"You have absolutely no idea, it's everything. Just to be able to be in the same country as him, and be not that far. It's too far where we are," says Dawn.

"To actually be able to see him, and to hold his hand and tell him 'fight it, come on,' we need him back," she adds.

The Storers told Newshub they were desperate to be at the bedside of their beloved son, who has undergone two brain surgeries following the alleged assault at the Albany Bar on Friday night.

New Zealand's tough border restrictions currently remain in place for all travellers amid the ongoing pandemic, bar citizens and permanent residents, those travelling from a quarantine-free location or those who have been granted a border exception. 

All arrivals in New Zealand - aside from those who have flown from a country with a quarantine-free travel arrangement - must complete a mandatory 14 days of managed isolation on arrival. They are also required to undertake regular tests for COVID-19 to ensure the virus isn't spread into the community.

The Storers had filled out an exemption form on Friday (UK time) and were expecting to wait at least five business days for a response.

But their pleas have now finally been answered, with a spokesperson for Immigration NZ confirming that the family's circumstances met the "high threshold" to be granted a border exemption. 

"[Ian] and Dawn Storer, along with their daughter, were invited to apply for a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa yesterday," the spokesperson told Newshub.

The family has been offered somewhere to stay after completing managed isolation, as well as a vehicle.

"Josh must've really touched the hearts of people over there, because the friends that have got in touch with us, they've been so helpful, it's incredible," says Ian.

After learning of their exemption at 3:30am GMT, the Storers say they told their son they were on their way.

"There's a friend who's gone in to see him, she put a phone next to his bed, obviously still in an induced coma, and we gave him the news that we were gonna be on our way as soon as possible, to fight and hold on in there," says Ian.

He said his son's recovery is hanging in the balance. 

"It's touch and go as far as we're aware."

The family has been told Josh might not survive, and if he does, he may be living with some brain damage. It's also possible he may return to "almost normal", Ian said, but it is still too early to tell what his future might look like as doctors wait for his brain swelling to ease.

The Storers said they were left in limbo following the news of the assault, desperately trying to contact the right people while filling out complex forms for a visa.

"It was difficult trying to get in contact with the right people. We've got the form to fill out, the form for the visa - the amount of stuff they need to know is unbelievable," Ian said, before news of the decision had come through.

"It's been absolutely horrendous. I can't begin to tell you how helpless we feel. It's bad enough with everything that's going on - I can't tell you how bad it is," Dawn added.

"We'll do anything we're asked - we just want to be one step closer to get to be with Josh when he needs us the most… It's [been] a long process, but we just really need to be there."

The Storers told Newshub that although Josh's friends, medical staff and local police have been "fantastic" at keeping them updated, they needed to be "in the right time-zone". 

"We would like to come and be by his side. We understand the quarantine rules, that's not an issue for us. We'd just rather be in your country, in the same time zone as him, even if we're in quarantine for 14 days - at least we'll feel closer to him. If he does come round and somebody is there to say to him, 'don't worry mate, your mum, dad and sister are in the country', it might give him a boost," Ian said. 

"It doesn't matter how old your child is, they're still your kid, your priority. It hurts like hell when anything happens to them."

"We just want to be there for him when he comes round, or be closer to him for decision-making stuff," Dawn added. "We need to be in the same time zone so we can deal with it better. It's really, really difficult."

The Storers described their son, who arrived in New Zealand three years ago on a work visa, as a "very sociable person" and "a hard worker" who loves fishing and having a couple of beers with his friends. He is close friends with the publican of the Albany Bar where he was assaulted, Ian said, and is a regular at the establishment.

The bar has since created a Givealittle page for their "local customer and good friend" to help bring his family to New Zealand. At the time of writing, it has raised more than $7500.

"[Josh was] a person I would have a beer with at least 2 -3 times a week," wrote publican Preet Dhaliwal.

Josh's friends in the UK have also set up a Go Fund Me page, which has currently raised more than £9255.

"I’m setting this up on behalf of a lovely family I've known for many years and as a mother and sister, I know I would appreciate the help. Please donate any amount in order to help the family be with Josh at this time whether the funding helps them with flights, hotels anything," it reads.

Ian said the family didn't realise how many friends Josh had in New Zealand, saying the outpouring of support has been "fantastic".

"All of his friends are devastated, as are his friends and family in the UK," he said.

"Any parent would understand - having your child in the ICU down the road is hard enough, but for it to be thousands of miles away - it's crucifying us to be fair."

Prior to the news of their border exemption, the Storers told Newshub they were happy to comply with New Zealand's stringent border restrictions as long as they knew they would be able to see their son.

"We're quite happy to comply, just to get over there to be with him when he wakes up or if not, there's somebody to turn around to him and say, 'don't worry, Josh, your family's here, once they've finished quarantine, they'll be with you'," Ian said.

The Storers, including their daughter Sian, Josh's sister, have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and must complete a pre-departure test before flying.

People are invited to apply for a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa if Immigration NZ determines they have "a critical purpose" for travelling to New Zealand. Visa-holders are able to travel to New Zealand despite the border currently being closed.

Those holding a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa are able to stay in New Zealand for six to 12 months.

A police spokesperson confirmed to Newshub that a 56-year-old man has been arrested and charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

"A man has been charged in relation to a serious assault at a pub on Dairy Flat Highway in Albany on Friday night," the spokesperson said. "Police were notified at 11:45pm that night that a 25-year-old man had been seriously injured at the pub."

The man is due to appear in the North Shore District Court on Thursday.

Josh Storer.
Josh Storer. Photo credit: Givealittle

The Storers described their son, who arrived in New Zealand three years ago on a work visa, as a "very sociable person" and "a hard worker" who loves fishing and having a couple of beers with his friends. He is close friends with the publican of the Albany Bar where he was assaulted, Ian said, and is a regular at the establishment.

The bar has since created a Givealittle page for their "local customer and good friend" to help bring his family to New Zealand. At the time of writing, it has raised more than $7400.

"If the family is not able to make it to NZ due to travel restrictions the funds will be given to the victim once he recovers to assist him financially," the publican and Josh's good friend, Preet Dhaliwal, wrote.

Josh's friends in the UK have also set up a Go Fund Me page, which has currently raised more than £9255.

"I’m setting this up on behalf of a lovely family I've known for many years and as a mother and sister, I know I would appreciate the help. Please donate any amount in order to help the family be with Josh at this time whether the funding helps them with flights, hotels anything," it reads.

Ian said the family didn't realise how many friends Josh had in New Zealand, saying the outpouring of support has been "fantastic".

"All of his friends are devastated, as are his friends and family in the UK," he said.

"Any parent would understand - having your child in the ICU down the road is hard enough, but for it to be thousands of miles away - it's crucifying us to be fair."

Prior to the news of their border exemption, the Storers told Newshub they were happy to comply with New Zealand's stringent border restrictions as long as they knew they would be able to see their son.

"We're quite happy to comply, just to get over there to be with him when he wakes up or if not, there's somebody to turn around to him and say, 'don't worry, Josh, your family's here, once they've finished quarantine, they'll be with you'," Ian said.

The Storers, including their daughter Sian, Josh's sister, have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 

People are invited to apply for a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa if Immigration NZ determines they have "a critical purpose" for travelling to New Zealand. Visa-holders are able to travel to New Zealand despite the border currently being closed.

Those holding a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa are able to stay in New Zealand for six to 12 months.

A police spokesperson confirmed to Newshub that a 56-year-old man has been arrested and charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

"A man has been charged in relation to a serious assault at a pub on Dairy Flat Highway in Albany on Friday night," the spokesperson said. "Police were notified at 11:45pm that night that a 25-year-old man had been seriously injured at the pub."

The man is due to appear in the North Shore District Court on Thursday.