Outback Truckers star Paul ‘Sludge’ Andrews is finally heading home after weeks of care and recovery in hospital and a rehabilitation centre following a serious motorcycle accident on March 4.
The popular truckie suffered a fractured skull, eye sockets, cheeks and ribs, a bleed to the brain, and torn ligaments in his neck, along with back and hip pain.
Earlier this week Sludge updated his legion of social media followers on his progress in a short Facebook video below, in which he also thanked the staff and surgeons at Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth.
Fiance Wendy will be his full-time carer at home where his continuing rehab will include physiotherapy, speech therapy and continuous doctor and specialists appointments. Full recovery is expected to take 6-12 months.
“Sludge and I would like to thank every one of you for all your support throughout this tough time,” wrote Wendy in a Facebook post.
She said Sludge is not allowed to operate a vehicle for a minimum of six months to two years, and sadly may never return to driving his beloved 2008 Peterbilt 379 called ‘The Phantom’.
Wendy also thanked her “dear friend” Donna Gell for creating a GoFundMe page to help with the associated costs while his business is on hold. At time of writing (April 20), $6325 had been raised of the $25,000 goal.
“We are just your average working couple we are not superstars,” added Wendy.
“At no time has Sludge recieved payment of any kind from filming on Outback Truckers or going to events speaking and taking time out to talk to his fans, he has just been his friendly happy self.
“Sludge is a very proud hard-working individual so this is a very hard thing to do, BUT I truly believe, why should such a kind hearted individual who has given so much of himself to everyone of you be left to struggle hardship? Even if you can’t give that is totally OK. Just your words of support is enough.”