Wife's tragic admission after Aussie fisherman knocked unconscious by whale's tail
Jordan Mainstone was fishing with a friend at Duranbah, in the Tweed Shire, when the unbelievable ordeal occurred on August 18.
An Aussie fisherman remains in hospital with a traumatic brain injury weeks after he was knocked unconscious by a whale's tail during an incredible, "extreme rare" incident at sea. Jordan Mainstone was fishing with a friend at Duranbah, in the Tweed Shire in NSW, when the unbelievable ordeal occurred on August 18.
Mainstone's wife Rebecca said she expected her husband to have returned home from hospital within days of the dramatic encounter, but as of Sunday, he's yet to be discharged. He is still receiving treatment for his physical and psychological injuries, she said.
Mainstone, aged 40, was fishing with friend Jamie French in their tinnie, about a kilometre from the Tweed Heads bar, on the NSW-Queensland border, when the animal breached the surface. The immense force nearly capsized the boat, with multiple witnesses in the water nearby left in complete shock by the scary moment. French came to Mainstone's aid before other locals on jetskis also arrived to assist.
Queensland Ambulance Service's (QAS) Scott Brown, who was among the first on the scene, said the ordeal was exceptionally rare.
"Just two guys having a morning fish, and then all of a sudden, a whale's tail appeared, striking one in the head," Brown earlier said of the incident, according to reports. "We've had boats come in contact with whales before, but not actually a person sitting in a boat.
"You have a little bit of disbelief that it happened at first, but respond nonetheless, and when we got there, that's what we found had happened."
Tourists 'in awe' over extremely rare sight off Aussie coast
Fisherman knocked unconscious by whale in 'extremely rare' encounter off Aussie coast
Wife's sad admission three weeks after brutal encounter
Now, a full three weeks later, Rebecca said the family don't yet know the extent of Mainstone's injuries.
"I was under the illusion that I would have my husband back within a week or two, and the boys would have their dad home," she told 7News, adding that her husband is confused, disoriented and "doesn't remember" much of what took place.
"Until we get him emerging from that, we don’t know the extent of his brain injury. We’re trying to get him into a brain injury rehab facility so he has the best possible chance."
A fundraising campaign has been established to support the family during Mainstone's journey ahead. "He has a long road to recovery with an uncertain time frame of when he will be able to return to work," a GoFundMe campaign read.
"Rebecca has also been unable to work during this time and depending on Jordan's recovery requirements, may also not be able to return to work for some time."
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
