Major update on Outback Truckers star ‘Sludge’ after severe motorbike accident: Full-time care and two years of rehab
- Outback Truckers star seriously injured in crash
- He miraculously survived but has a long road to recovery
- A GoFundMe has been launched to help support him
Outback Truckers’ star Paul ‘Sludge’ Andrews will require full-time care and rehabilitation for up to two years after suffering serious head injuries in a motorcycle accident.
The much-loved truck driver was rushed to hospital on March 4 after a suffering a fractured skull, a brain bleed, broken eye sockets, cheeks and ribs and torn ligaments in a crash.
After spending two weeks in hospital, he was transferred to Fiona Stanley brain rehabilitation centre, in south Perth, and is expected to finally be discharged this weekend.
However, while he is lucky to be alive, the reality TV star faces a long road to recovery once he returns home.
Friend Donna Gell said Sludge’s fiancée Wendy Kennedy will be his full-time carer while he continues his rehabilitation, with the truckie’s full recovery anticipated to take between six to 24 months.
Paul ‘Sludge’ Andrews will require rehabilitation for up to two years after suffering multiple serious injuries in the crash
The Outback Truckers star is pictured with his fiancée Wendy Kennedy
‘His rehabilitation will include physiotherapy, speech therapy and continuous doctor appointments,’ Ms Gell wrote in a GoFundMe set up to support Sludge.
‘During this time Sludge will be unable to operate The Phantom and run his trucking business.’
Meanwhile, Fiona Stanley Hospital delighted Sludge’s fans on Wednesday after sharing a video of the trucker giving an update about his condition.
The clip began with Sludge sitting in a wheelchair revealing his five week stay at the facility was drawing to an end before flashing of photos of him with staff during therapy sessions.
‘I’ve been having a bit of a holiday here,’ Sludge says.
‘Been here for a month or two after my accident and it looks like I am finally going to get to go home.
‘I just want to say thank you to all the staff and all the surgeons here for everything they have done for me.’
Sludge is pictured during a physiotherapy session at Fiona Stanley Hospital
Supporters offered their well-wishes for his recovery.
‘Best news! All the very best on a speedy recovery,’ one person commented.
‘All the best keep up your physio and you will be back in your truck soon,’ another said.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia last month, Ms Kennedy said it was a ‘very tough time’ as Sludge remained in hospital undergoing treatment.
‘It is going to be a very long, slow road for his recovery,’ she said.
‘It’s amazing how in an instant life can change.’
Born and raised in New Zealand, Sludge has been hauling freight across Oceania for more than three decades and owns Paul Andrews Transport.
He was featured on the popular reality TV series Outback Truckers.
Paul ‘Sludge’ Andrews has worked in freight transport for more than three decades and is famous for his distinctive purple truck The Phantom
Freighting fuel tanker road trains to mine sites across WA with his signature purple 2008 Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood truck known as the Phantom, Mr Andrews became famous around the world for his loving personality and hardworking attitude.
Outback Truckers now screens in 15 countries worldwide, include the US, UK, New Zealand and many European nations. He loves motorbikes as much as he does trucks.
‘Sludge has always loved the adrenaline rush he gets from anything with big horsepower,’ his website states.
‘He races his nitro Harley Davidson at the dirt drags and loves his Honda motorcycles.’
He proposed to his longtime partner Wendy in November – just months before the accident.
‘Well finally got up the courage to ask the love of my life to marry me and she said yes looking forward to our new life,’ he said at the time.
