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Irish student, 22, in serious condition after ‘horrific’ car crash on holiday to America that ‘turned into nightmare’
Shane has since woken up from a coma but faces a long recovery
AN Irish students trip to the USA for the summer "turned into a nightmare" after he was involved in a car crash last month.
Shane Campbell, aged just 22-years-old, left his native Kells in Co Meath for a chance to work in Chicago over the summer months.
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However, the young man was seriously injured when the taxi he was travelling in was involved in a "horrific" crash.
Shane was initially maintained in an induced coma and intubated.
He suffered several broken bones and "significant abdominal trauma", which has required ten surgical procedures to date and may require more in the future.
The young lad has been recovering in John H Stroger Hospital of Cook County since June 5 and has "thankfully improved".
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Friend Emmet Drumbaragh said Shane is "awake and cognitive but faces a long road to recovery".
He added: "He needs several more weeks of medical care in John H Stroger Hospital of Cook County followed by months of rehab."
Shane is supported by his twin brother Niall, who was also in Chicago for the summer and his mother Jean, who flew from Ireland to be with him and will "remain there for the months ahead".
Shane's sister Grace and father David who have stayed, for now, are still in Kells.
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Drumbaragh GFC, who Shane played with in Kellys, and his friends and family have rallied together to set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise much-needed funds for the young mans recovery.
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Confirming that the funraiser is rocketing closer and closer towards the goal, organiser Emmet said: "We are 24 hours into #Support4Shane Fundraiser and thanks to a phenomenal 900 donations we have broken the €40,000 mark and bearing down on our initial target of €50,000."
He added: "We have been overwhelmed by the support from all around the globe. That said, we will not stop there!
"We need to raise as much as we can for Shane and his family - there is no definitive figure how much Shane's rehabilitation will cost - so we need to keep going."
Shane had travel insurance which will cover his "basic medical needs" while in America but friends and family confirmed that it won't cover everything he needs.
They said: "Shane did have travel insurance, and this will cover his basic medical needs.
"However, we all know how expensive medical care is in the US, so his insurance falls short of covering everything, and will not cover ANY of his rehab care."
The GoFundMe added: "Shane is a much-loved son, brother, colleague, and teammate within our community. His family are known far and wide from Manhattan to Meath.
"But now they need YOUR help. Shane has shown great courage in his progress so far and is determined to fully recover and get home. Please help support him and his family through this difficult time.
"All monies received will help alleviate the financial costs already incurred and finance Shane's future rehab and care to restore him to full health."
You can help by donating or sharing the GoFundMe campaign 'Support4Shane'.