Yarrawonga football premiership player Jess Koopman has been woken from an induced coma in a Melbourne hospital after receiving extensive facial injuries due to an exploding firework last week as the local community rallies around him and his loved ones.
Yarrawonga Football Netball Club (YFNC) announced on social media on Tuesday night, October 3 that Jess had been awoken from his coma and his breathing tube had been removed.
Whilst still woozy, many signs are good, however it is expected he will remain in hospital in Melbourne for a time.
Yarrawonga Football Netball Club (YFNC) President Ross Mulquiney said whilst Jess remains in hospital in Melbourne, he is receiving the best possible care with family around him.
“Jess’ road to recovery will not be a short one and he will continue to need the love and support of those surrounding him,” Mr Mulquiney said.
To assist in the recovery, Ross and the wider YFNC community have organised a fundraiser, which has already raised in excess of $15,000, where all monies donated will go to Jess and his family. (see below).
Last Tuesday, September 26 fireworks and an explosive device were heard to be let off at the Gilmore/ Dunlop Street intersection just after 11pm before emergency services were called to a 27-year-old man, later confirmed to be Koopman, that had received extensive injuries which saw him conveyed to the Yarrawonga Hospital before being airlifted to Melbourne.
It is understood a group of people were celebrating the end of the football season by letting off fireworks in the intersection before Koopman was injured after attempting to ignite the commercial grade manufactured firework.
Officers from the Cobram Crime Investigation Unit charged a 45-year-old man who supplied the commercial grade manufactured firework with an additional 25-year-old man also arrested in relation to the incident who was assisting police with their enquiries.
Police seized a quantity of commercial grade manufactured fireworks from the scene.
A search warrant was executed at a property in Benalla Road on Wednesday, September 27 about 9.30am, where a Yarrawonga man was arrested.
The man has been charged with reckless conduct endangering serious injury and possess explosive substance.
The man was bailed to appear before the Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Monday, December 4.
If you would like to assist the family, you can donate by a simple EFT transfer to:
Account Name: Hargraves Trust Account.
BSB: 063 537.
ACC: 1019 7147.
Ref: JK (Surname).
If you would like a receipt or to pass on your well wishes email hargrave@hargrave.com.au.