Holiday of a lifetime leaves local family fighting for their lives

The community is rallying round to support a popular local waiter and his family who have been involved in a horrific accident whilst holidaying in Australia.

Cem Balcikli was enjoying a family reunion with his wife Jenny and their nine month old daughter Alara on Hamilton Island when there was a serious traffic incident involving a golf buggy.

The accident occurred at 8.25am, local time, on March 10th, when a golf buggy crashed into a stationary golf buggy. The golf buggy was carrying eight passengers, including five adults, one toddler and two infants.

Jenny Beck-Balcikli and her baby daughter sustained the worst injuries and were airlifted to hospital. Alara suffered serious head injuries whilst Jenny suffered a broken arm, leg, skull, facial injuries, broken ribs and a punctured lung. She was initially in an induced coma which thankfully she has now come out of. They both remain in hospital.

Family member Joanne Miller posted online "However everyday sees them discover more broken bones, her list of injuries is now far greater than they first thought, Nick said she's pretty much broken every bone in her body."

Victoria Hempstock, from Esthetique Beauty has set up a crowdfunding page, hoping to raise £2000 for her dearest friend Jenny and her family.

Speaking about Jenny and Alara she said "Both are making progress although very slow, they are continuing to improve daily, making small steps in the right direction. They have sadly sustained many injuries from head to toe and nobody can say how long the road to recovery and rehabilitation is going to be. However many months have been indicated.

"We are wanting to support Jenny, Alara & Cem in any way we can do have set up this just giving page. Any way we can all show we care and offer support at this devastating time."

Tracey Fincher who started working at Esthetique Beauty in Wilmslow at the same time as Jenny, said she should have been returning to work after maternity leave this week.

Tracey said "We can't believe what has happened, our poor, beautiful Jenny. We need to get her all better and help as much as we can." 

Eight family members involved in the crash also sustained injuries. Cem, who has worked at the Village Cafe for the past 3-4 years, was also involved in the incident and suffered minor injuries to his neck and Jenny's father also remains in hospital.

Donations can be made online and are also being collected for the family at the Village Cafe.