An Australian teenager tragically passed away following a celebration backflip gone wrong.
Sonny Brandel, who had recently relocated to an apartment in Queensland from New South Wales to pursue a job and start anew with his girlfriend, was found unresponsive by his roommate after the incident on June 24.
“He hit his head in the lounge room and then complained of a headache,” said Cromack Hay. “He woke up, went to the toilet to vomit, and then passed out. His best friend found him unresponsive the next morning.”
The 18-year-old was rushed to the intensive care unit at Queensland Hospital, where he suffered multiple strokes.
“The first 24 hours were critical. We nearly lost him after those strokes and a subsequent bleed that required draining the fluid from his brain. There’s a lot of uncertainty about whether Sonny will recover. He’s putting in a lot of effort because the possibility of recovery and rehabilitation exists,” Hay continued.
Doctors put him in a coma and performed brain surgery, but he succumbed to his injuries on June 30, as confirmed by his sister on a GoFundMe page.
“Our beautiful Sonny earned his wings and passed away,” said Cromack Hay. “We’re all in disbelief and deep pain.”
Funds raised through the online campaign will be used to return Sonny’s body to his family in New South Wales and cover funeral expenses.
“We need to bring Sonny home. His sisters are waiting for him,” Hay updated on the GoFundMe on June 30.
The campaign has raised nearly $16,000.
His mother, Madeline Brandel, expressed her grief in a Facebook post: “I will bring you my boy, my love, my soul, my heart home. I miss you.”
Celebration stunts have previously resulted in fatal accidents.
For instance, South African bodybuilder Sifiso Langelotabete died after a failed backflip attempt during a pre-competition event in 2017. Additionally, Indian footballer Peter Biaksunjura lost his life in 2014 after injuring himself while celebrating a goal.
