TRADIE CRITICAL
’He was just full of life’: support flows for surfer
THE family of a former Gold Coast tradie clinging to life after an alleged drunken fight outside a pub say it is heartbreaking to see him lying so still in hospital.
Surf-loving Brett ‘Tomo’ Thomson, 31, has been in a critical condition since Saturday after he was allegedly struck during a row outside a Cairns bar.
THE family of a former Gold Coast tradie clinging to life after an alleged drunken fight outside a pub say it is heartbreaking to see him lying so still in hospital.
Surf-loving Brett ‘Tomo’ Thomson has been in a critical condition since Saturday after he was allegedly struck during a row outside a Cairns bar.
Police say an altercation broke out between two groups outside the bar about 10.40pm
The 32-year-old, believed to have hit his head on the ground, is understood to have suffered extreme brain damage and lost neurological control of his body.
Mr Thomson, described as popular and easy going by friends, had lived on and off on the Gold Coast for the past 30 years, chasing a love of surfing.
Brett’s aunty Kim Thomson said a roofing job on the Gold Coast suited him down to the ground due to his passion for the outdoors.
“He loved his job,” she said.
“He was just full of life, it’s not good to see him so still. He has many friends there on the Gold Coast.”
Mr Thomson had moved back to Cairns earlier this year, she said.
“He shared his love of Cairns and the surf on the Coast,” Ms Thomson said.
“He moved back for work on the islands of Cairns but every break he would be out on the reef spear fishing and then back on the Coast to get his surfing kick.”
Ms Thomson, who spoke with the Bulletin from his Cairns hospital bedside, said the situation was incredibly unfair.
“It is just so beautiful to see how many people that have visited him here in the ICU,” she said.
“It is so sad seeing my sister’s heart breaking and not seeing Brett smile and hear his laugh. He would be so overwhelmed with everyone fussing over him. He is surrounded with friends and family.”
A 20-year-old from Cairns Timothy John England, facing a charge of grievous bodily harm, was released on bail yesterday. Magistrate Terry
IT IS SO SAD SEEING MY SISTER’S HEART BREAKING AND NOT SEEING BRETT SMILE AND HEAR HIS LAUGH AUNTY KIM THOMSON
Browne ordered him to report to police three times a week and not leave Queensland.
Brett’s friends have been sharing memories of their time with him and their well wishes online.
A GoFundMe established by Brett’s friend Damon Goodwin said Brett had a “larger than life live-for-themoment personality”.
“Currently Brett Thomson resides lifeless in the Intensive Care Unit of the Cairns Base Hospital aided by life support, monitored closely 24/7 by ICU Doctors and devastated family and friends,” the message read.
Funds raised will be directed to assisting Brett and his family.
It has raised $11,550 of a $50,000 target in 24 hours.
The incident follows a one-punch attack on the Gold Coast last week which left 34-year-old Liam McNeilly in intensive care. Mr McNeilly, who was visiting the Coast as part of a fishing trip, remains in a coma.