A 21-year-old man remains in intensive care after an alleged assault outside a Maroochydore nightclub, with the local community rallying behind his family in the days since.
Daniel Phillips is fighting for his life after he was punched and knocked to the ground about 12.13am on January 17 in Ocean Street’s restaurant and nightclub precinct.
Doctors have told the family Mr Phillips faces a long and uncertain road ahead after suffering a traumatic brain injury.
“They had to remove nearly half his skull to relieve the pressure on his brain and drain the bleeding,” his sister Brianna Phillips said.
“The surgeons have done absolutely everything they can to give him the best possible outcome.”
Ms Phillips said the impact on the family had been devastating.
“Unless you’ve been through something like this, you don’t understand the effect it has,” she said.
“Watching your loved one lying in a hospital bed in the condition he’s in — you just want to do anything to fix them or reverse time, but you can’t.”
Despite the severity of his injuries, the family has seen encouraging signs.
“He’s breathing on his own, he can squeeze our hands, move his legs, and he’s opening his eyes — those are all really positive signs,” she said.
“But when he wakes up, he’s extremely distressed. It rips your heart out seeing it.
“The doctors say there are a lot of positives, but it’s still a waiting game. They can’t tell us yet what the long-term impacts will be.”
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Ms Phillips described her brother as a kind and vibrant young man with a passion for dirt bike riding.
“Dan’s a character. He’s kind, bubbly, and he can make literally anyone laugh,” she said.
“He’d do absolutely anything for anyone. He’s very happy, very kind — just a genuinely good person.”
She said Daniel had recently bought a property with their brother and was excited about the future.
The outpouring of community support has provided comfort to the family. A GoFundMe has been set up to support Mr Phillips’ recovery, and thus far, more than $27,000 has been raised.
“We’ve been completely overwhelmed by the support — the messages, the donations, even people just sharing the link,” Ms Phillips said.
“It just goes to show how loved Dan is and the kind of person he is.
“We want to say a huge thank you to the police, paramedics, nurses, surgeons and detectives.”
She urged anyone who witnessed the incident or has information to come forward.
“If anyone saw anything at all, even the slightest thing, please come forward and speak to police,” she said.
“We never want another family to have to endure this.”
Police confirmed three men are assisting with enquiries as investigations into the serious assault continue.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at police.qld.gov.au/reporting. Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at crimestoppersqld.com.au. Quote this reference number: QP2600104610
