Simone Mitchell is lucky to be alive following a car accident while holidaying in South Australia. The young woman was driving to a friends house when one of her back tyres slipped out on the road, causing her car to flip, and roll three times, before landing upright.
A friend pulled an unconscious Simone out of the car before she was transported to Mount Gambier Hospital.
“It was a pretty hardcore accident,” Simone explained.
“I’ve broken my neck and fractured some of my vertebrae.”
Finally flying home last Saturday, Simone had spent two weeks in Mount Gambier hospital, a long way away from home.
Many of you may recognise Simone as the friendly face behind the counter at Fishi where she has worked for the past two years.
After hearing about her accident, Fishi owner and operator Bronwyn Calder reached out to the community to help fund her recovery process.
“We knew it would be a tough time, and wanted to help her out,” explained Bronwyn.
“It’s been great to see the community get behind Simone and her recovery.”
Initially the campaign began with only a simple tin next to the till, but as the community support grew, Simone’s parents set up a special fundraising page for people to donate.
“It’s been amazing,” Simone reflected.
“I only now realise the amount of people that I’ve helped or impacted and having them help me out now is amazing.
“I’m glad to have come out of the accident alive. I have a new appreciation for everything, and a second chance at life.”
Simone will be in a brace for at least six to eight weeks and will be travelling to Townsville Hospital for regularly neurosurgeon appointments.
Simone Mitchell has returned home following a serious car accident. Photo credit: Facebook