Meath student left with multiple injuries following ‘horrific’ US car crash undergoes surgery

22-year-old Shane Campbell was seriously injured after a taxi he was a passenger in was involved in a collision on June 5.

The crash resulted in the popular Kells man undergoing no fewer than ten surgeries to correct several broken bones and internal injuries sustained in the immediate aftermath of the collision.

His family and friends launched a GoFundMe to cover medical costs, with any money raised going straight to Shane’s hospital bills.

In an update posted on the page yesterday, Jean Campbell wrote: “Shane had his surgery earlier this morning, all went well. He is in recovery.

“Shane is sleeping it off for now, we are letting his body have a rest.

Shane’s surgery involved inserting a small plate to support and repair the sternum which will benefit him greatly. It will enable him to breath with ease on his own.

“On Independence Day, Shane is definitely a warrior. Please continue with all the prayers too. Jean xx.”

As he recovers in John H Stroger Hospital of Cook County in Chicago, the fundraising appeal has hit €83,310 of a €90,000 target.

The page states that Shane did have travel insurance, and this will cover his basic medical needs.

“However, we all know how expensive medical care is in the US, so his insurance falls short of covering everything, and will not cover ANY of his rehab care,” it reads.

Shane is currently supported by his twin brother Niall, who was also in Chicago for the summer, and his mother Jean who flew over from Ireland after the accident occurred.

His father and sister remain at home in Ireland.

In a post on the online fundraising platform, friends told of how the young Meath man’s dream of following in the footsteps of so many other like-minded students his age had been taken away in the blink of an eye.

“Shane Campbell is a 22-year-old student from Kells, Co. Meath, who went to Chicago to work for the summer, like so many Irish students,” reads the GoFundMe post. “Shane’s American dream turned into a nightmare as the taxi he was a passenger in was involved in a horrific car crash.

“Shane was initially maintained in an induced coma and intubated.

“As well as several broken bones, more seriously, Shane suffered significant abdominal trauma which has required ten surgical procedures to date and may require more in the future.

“He has thankfully improved, is awake and cognitive, but faces a long road to recovery. He needs several more weeks of medical care in John H Stroger Hospital of Cook County followed by months of rehab.”

“Shane is a much-loved son, brother, colleague, and teammate within our community.

“His family are known far and wide from Manhattan to Meath.

“But now they need your help. Shane has shown great courage in his progress so far and is determined to fully recover and get home.

Please help support him and his family through this difficult time.”

David McManus PRO with Drumbaragh Emmets GFC said locals were remaining hopeful their much admired club colleague would, in time, make a full recovery.

“The early reaction to Shane’s fundraiser gives us plenty of encouragement, and that what we need right now.

“There have been so many fatal accidents of Irish people abroad in recent years. Thankfully Shane is still with us and with the help of the people of Kells and the GAA community around the world, he’ll be back on his feet sooner rather than later.

“Shane, like all the Campbell family, would always be the first to donate or volunteer time for good causes, it’s time to repay our clubman’s kindness.”