Harry on a big one at Shippies and the aftermath. Photos: Instagram//GoFundMe
Harry Hollmer-Cross, son of the legendary big wave surfer James Holmer-Cross, was involved in a surfing accident that nearly claimed his life. Now, he’s got a long road to recovery.
On March 26, 19-year-old Hollmer-Cross was surfing Shipstern Bluff. There were a lot of others out there, including his dad. Harry pulled into a big one, but wiped out. He hit the bottom, was knocked unconscious, and then held down.
“His father James got to him on the Jet Ski as Harry was face down unconscious and not breathing,” wrote Danny Griffiths, family friend and fellow big wave surfer, in a crowdfunding campaign. “Luckily enough James was quick enough to respond with getting him out of water and straight to the boat where they started CPR.”
View this post on Instagram
Thankfully, Harry reacted to the CPR and began breathing. He was put on a boat to meet an emergency rescue helicopter and flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital in Tasmania. Once there, doctors found that he had head trauma and ear damage severe enough to possibly require a hearing aid in his left ear. He also has chest issues and a host of other injuries, and the road to recovery won’t be short or easy.
A few days ago, however, Harry was able to post a quick update to his Instagram. “… I guess that’s the cost you pay when you’re putting your life on the line (literally). But I want to say a big thanks to @james_hollmer_cross for pulling me out of the water and a quick response to the situation and my mum, @sjh_pikchas, for looking after me the whole time I was in the hospital. Also, big thank you to @danny_griffiths. Thanks to everyone that has donated. I appreciate it heaps.”
The crowdfunding campaign, as of this writing, has raised $30,485 AUD of a $35,000 goal. The funds raised will go towards Harry’s rehabilitation, loss of income, medical costs, and to help get his life back on track. Donate here.
