Michelle Pillar was traveling along the south coast of Victoria, Australia, in January this year when she was involved in a tragic accident that resulted in the loss of both of her legs
Image: Facebook)
A “bright-eyed, hardworking” trucker has been left without either of her legs following a tragic accident while towing an animal trailer.
Michelle Pillar, 25, was traveling along the south coast of Victoria, Australia, when the trailer rolled and became trapped between a tree and a bridge, leaving her stuck in a cabin for 11 hours until she was rescued.
When emergency services arrived, they found the only way to save her was to amputate her right leg, but sadly, her left leg was also amputated due to complications in the hospital.
Michelle had been on a life support machine in an induced coma until Tuesday when she woke up to learn she would “never drive again”, her brother-in-law Ignatius Corboy told the Australian radio station 2GB.
“You can imagine the impact that has had on her,” he said.
Michelle had only recently begun her career as a truck driver, following in the footsteps of her father, transporting livestock across Australia.
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Image:
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The 25-year-old, described as having a “can-do attitude” is no stranger to tragedy, having lost her mother just a few days before Christmas, Ignatius explained.
She and her brother have since “bound together and really looked after each other.”
While in hospital, undergoing numerous surgeries Michelle has only been able to communicate with her family via FaceTiem due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.
While tending to her injuries, doctors uncovered a spinal cord infection and multiple broken bones.
The heavily sedated young woman “doesn’t really know where she is or what’s going on”, Mr Corboy said.
Ignatius has since started a fundraiser for his sister-in-law to crowdfund her road to recovery. In the description, he said: “My personal aim is to get Michelle back on her feet, so she can dance again, run again, and be the remarkable independent woman she is again”
The money raised will go towards rehab, treatment, mental health care and – the family hopes – a new set of legs.
Donations have come far and wide, with farmers reportedly selling off cows to raise cash for the “beautiful girl”.
According to ABC News, more than $100,000 (£53,000) has been raised – and a donation tin has been placed at the Mortlake Roadhouse, a fast-food restaurant in Victoria.
A post on the restaurant’s Facebook page reads: “Michelle is the quintessential Aussie battler. The family are way too proud to ask for help, so these boys, with the family’s permission, are doing this
“We will have a donation bucket at the Roadhouse for anyone to pop money in, so the family can get down and see Michelle in person in Melbourne and predominately for Michelle’s battle ahead.
“The roadhouse has chucked $500 (£265) bucks in the bucket to get the ball rolling – give what ya can.”
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