A MUCH-LOVED local man is clinging to life after a horrific scooter accident in Cooktown left him with severe head injuries.
Shayne Chessor, 42, was airlifted to Townsville after hitting a traffic island at the intersection of May and Ida Street on Friday afternoon on a motorised scooter.
A Townsville Hospital and Health Service spokeswoman said Mr Chessor remained in a critical but stable condition on Monday afternoon.
Cooktown Police’s officer in charge, Senior Sergeant John McArthur, said Mr Chessor was wearing a helmet, but alcohol was suspected to be a contributing factor in the accident.
“No one likes to see the trauma associated with traffic crashes, and I hope Shayne makes a good recovery,” he said.
“Road safety is a focus for the police district moving forward, but we rely on the public to make good decisions regarding driving behaviour,” Senior Sergeant McArthur said on Monday.
Long-time friend Chantelle Wignall said she was heartbroken to hear the news.
“Keep fighting and come home to your family and friends in Cooktown; too many fish and crabs to catch yet buddy,” she said.
Ms Wignall said Mr Chessor was believed to have multiple broken bones, including a wrist, ribs, hip and eye socket, and was in an induced coma to allow his body to heal.
“As far as I know it’s now a waiting game, as they did say it would be three to four days for the swelling (on his brain) to go down,” she said.
“He’s a fighter, all we can do is keep sending positive thoughts.”
Keen fellow fisherman Anthony Pearson wrote on Facebook of Mr Chessor’s love for fishing.
“We still have plenty of fish to catch my good friend, God is not ready yet for you,” Mr Pearson wrote.
