Surfing legend Mark Richardson to fly to Darwin after suffering infection in Bali
An Australian surfing legend who fought to survive in hospital will be flown back to Australia for treatment.
Mark Richardson was taken to Siloam Hospital in Kuta, south of Bali, Indonesia, last week while on vacation in the tourist hotspot.
Mr Richardson suffered internal bleeding after contracting an infection which led to the great surfer being admitted to hospital in a serious condition.
Friends of the four-time Australian surfing champion were desperate for Group A blood donations after Mr Richardson’s condition worsened about four days ago.
Australian surfing legend Mark Richardson (pictured) is suffering a serious condition after suffering internal bleeding while on holiday in Bali.
Despite receiving ten bags of this rare source of blood from the Australian Red Cross, the hospital refused the donation.
Mr Richardson will fly out on Wednesday and arrive in Darwin around 11pm later this evening.
Some bags of blood will be loaded onto an emergency plane which will take Mr Richardson back to Australia.
He will receive blood transfusions on the plane during his flight home.
One of Mr Richardson’s friends, Fiona Meyer, who accompanied Mr Richardson to Bali throughout his ordeal, said there were few options left to give him the care he needs.
“He will die if he stays here,” Ms. Meyer told the ABC.
“Because the situation is so evil, he just needs to get out as quickly as possible”
“It’s terrible to come to this.”
Ms Meyer said Mr Richardson would be transported by a plane operated by LifeFlight, an emergency air service.
The Australian surf champion (pictured left) will leave Bali on Wednesday and receive blood transfusions on a LifeFlight plane which will transport him to Darwin at around 11pm local time.
Friends of Mr Richardson (pictured) were desperately trying to get him supplies of blood group A to help with his treatment after the Bali hospital he was admitted to was unable to provide him with enough supplies of this rare blood group.
The Australian Red Cross said ABC that a total of six blood bags will be loaded on board the aircraft, along with other sources of blood needed for the man’s care.
Mr Richardson had received blood transfusions while in hospital in Bali.
Ms Meyer claimed the hospital had been unable to provide enough blood to help treat Mr Richardson.
A GonFundMe was established and nearly $39,000 has been raised so far to fund expenses related to his medical treatment.
Mr Richardson is a renowned figure in Australian surfing having won a gold medal in the Masters division at the 2011 ISA Masters Surfing World Championships.
After his successful surfing career, he became a coach and mentor to several rising stars, including Australians Liam O’Brien, Callum Robson and Isabella Nichols.
