What began as a night out with his daughter at the Beenleigh Showgrounds ended in tragedy for Shane Bown, who has spent the weeks since confined to a hospital bed.
The 51-year-old had just wrapped up an evening well spent with his daughter Yasmin at a local car meet – a passion they share. But as they were leaving, Mr Bown heard the roar of an engine – and in an instant, everything changed.
The last thing he remembers from that September night is leaping out of the way as a car came hurtling toward him.
Now, Mr Bown lies in a bed at Princess Alexandra Hospital, facing months of recovery, enduring multiple surgeries, unable to walk and unable to work – his life turned upside down just weeks after buying his first home.
“We were having a great old night. As we were leaving, I heard this engine pick up and turned around to see the headlights coming at me, swerving left to right,” Mr Brown said.
“Then I woke up looking at the top of an ambulance and saying, ‘Yazzie, where’s Yaz?’
“Luckily, she is fine.”
Mr Bown, however, was left with a compound fracture to his right leg, his other lacerated to the bone, a dislocated hip, a broken arm and more.
He has already endured multiple surgeries, and is expected to receive more.
He’ll have to learn to walk again, but that won’t happen for another five weeks, Mr Bown said.
And as an air condition repairer, that means no work.
Regardless, he remains calm and positive.
Why?
“Well, what else do you do? You’ve got to stay positive and hope for the best outcome,” Mr Bown said.
He thanked all those who have helped him since the incident, including his mates, hospital workers, and those at the scene.
To help pay the bills while in recovery, Mr Bown’s mates have set up a GoFundMe in his name.
“Shane is the kind of bloke who would always help a mate, the first to lend a hand, fix something, or offer support when someone else was struggling. Now, he’s the one who needs us,” fundraiser organiser Kieran McInerney said.
The day after the 26 September incident, police said they charged a 17-year-old boy from Yarrabilba with dangerous driving that caused injury.
Police allege the boy fled the scene on foot after crashing into Mr Bown and two parked cars.
“He was located a short distance away by members of the public,” a police statement read.
The organiser of the car meet, Downshift, released a statement shortly afterwards saying skids, burnouts and antisocial behaviour were not tolerated at the organisation’s events.
“First and foremost, we are cooperating fully with authorities investigating this incident. The injured party has our immediate concern and support, and we have been in contact with family members,” the statement read.
“Moving forward, we are implementing enhanced security presence at exit points, immediate ejection protocols for dangerous behaviour, and increased communication of minimum standards of behaviour for all attendees.
“Downshift will not allow anyone to endanger others or disrespect event protocols. Our commitment to responsible automotive enthusiasm and community safety remains absolute.”
To donate to Mr Bown’s fundraiser, visit gofund.me/6b91b3cc0.
