An Australian father has been left gravely injured after plunging off a balcony while trying to save his young son.
Brad Lewis' eight-year-old son Oscar tumbled off the 4m high balcony while playing with a Nerf gun on Saturday August 4. Mr Lewis caught him, but in the process the pair both fell off the balcony.
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According to a GoFundMe page set up for the family, Mr Lewis wrapped himself around his son on the way down and took most of the blow from hitting the ground headfirst.
After the accident he lay on the ground bleeding heavily, asking his friends if his children were okay and begging them to not let the kids see his injuries.
Oscar received a concussion, a skull fracture, bruising on the brain and other minor injuries from the fall and has since been released from hospital.
Mr Lewis suffered major head and neck injuries, bruising on the brain, a fractured C6 vertebra cracked open his skull and other head and body injuries. Doctors were surprised he survived the accident.
He's now facing a long recovery that could take over a year and the family has mounting financial pressures.
His wife Suz has taken time off work to care for him and once she returns he will be unable to drive or look after himself for quite some time.
The family has already raised AU$50,000 (NZ$55,130) of their $150,000 goal to cover the costs incurred during his treatment and recovery.
Newshub.
