The family, friends and co-workers of Emma McLean are battling to support the 23-year-old after she was left in an induced coma following a deadly crash in Brisbane’s Legacy Way tunnel.
The South Australian and her best friend Lily Galbraith, a 24-year-old from the Northern Territory, are believed to have been on their way to a wedding when they entered the Legacy Way Tunnel at Mount Coot-tha on Wednesday afternoon.
The tunnel crash killed Galbraith, who is believed to be a nurse working at Flinders Private Hospital in Adelaide and former police officer Bruce Daley, 56.
The silver Mazda they were driving was allegedly struck by a black Audi, which caused them to crash into a small truck.
McLean, who was engaged and planning her own wedding, was left fighting for her life in hospital.
The boss of her tight-knit work team Dan O’Rourke said McLean faced a “marathon” recovery.
”Emma is the sort of person when she walks in the room, she brightens it up,” O’Rourke said.
“She brings a lot of joy to everyone. She’s just everyone’s friend.”
McLean’s friends have set up a fundraiser on her behalf and have been told her journey to recovery will be extensive.
“The doctors have advised it’s going to be a marathon for her to recover,” O’Rourke said.
“She’s going to be in ICU for quite some time,” O’Rourke said.
“There are still multiple operations they need to plan for.”
A fundraiser was also set up for Lily Galbraith by her workmates at Flinders Private Hospital, where she worked in intensive care.
It’s hoped the money raised will help ease the burden on her grief-stricken family.
