The family of a man left in a coma on life support after being hit by a lorry are desperately appealing for donations to support him and his wife as his life hangs in the balance.
Chris and Allison Bush lived together in Canvey for more than 25 years before moving to their “paradise” on the Isle of Wight four years ago, leaving behind their family, friends and support network.
They were part of the St Nicholas Church parish, in Long Road, for decades.
Chris, 62, suffered a devastating workplace accident on Thursday when he was hit by a lorry – shattering his ribs and pelvis and leaving him with multiple broken bones that require urgent and life-changing surgery.
While Chris is currently stable, he is in a coma and is undergoing rib and hip reconstructions in the coming days, which could leave him needing to recover in Southampton Hospital for six months.
The family are pulling together to fundraise to allow Allison, 56, to stay in Meller House, a charity building that allows family of traumatic injury victims to live nearby as they recover. All other funds will go to the air ambulance that “saved Chris’ life”.
The couple’s niece, Eloise Cooper who lives on Canvey, has called the experience “overwhelming” for the family and is trying to give back to a “selfless man”.
She said: “His condition is serious and we could possibly lose him today.
“Chris is the kind of person who would pay for your shopping and is so forgiving.
“Many years ago I had issues and Chris and Allison helped me. He never judges anyone and is a loving and helpful person. If he was down to his last £2, he would give it away.
“We set up a fundraiser for all the times they have helped others. It would be good to give a little bit back, and because the room is £700 a month. This place is amazing but we need to pay for the accommodation for the charity.
“He has two more operations after this if it works, on his legs and his hips.”
Allison added: “It will be a long process and it has been very overwhelming, it has been so hard and we don’t know how further operations will go, but we need to have faith.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here