The boss of a woman injured in a horror crash that killed two people said she faces a ‘marathon recovery’ and has no idea her best friend died in the smash.
Emma McLean, 23, was driving a silver Mazda sedan in Brisbane’s Legacy Way Tunnel at 3.10pm on Wednesday to attend a wedding, when her car was hit from behind by a black Audi convertible.
The sedan crashed into a truck causing a horror multi vehicle crash near the entrance of the major thoroughfare.
Ms McLean suffered broken arms and a shattered pelvis and was rushed to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a critical condition later that night, where she currently remains in an induced coma.
Emma McLean (pictured) suffered broken arms and a shattered pelvis in a horror multi vehicle crash in Brisbane’s Legacy Way tunnel last Wednesday, leaving her in a critical condition
The crash killed her best friend, Lily Galbraith, 24, who was a passenger inside the vehicle.
Former police officer Bruce Daley, 56, who was driving the black Audi, was also killed, while the driver of the truck sustained minor injuries.
Ms McLean, who does not know that her best friend was killed following the horror crash, will face months of recovery.
Her boss Dan O’Rourke, from Screenaway Blinds, a small business located in South Australia, said it will take a long time for her to get back on her feet.
‘The doctors have advised that it is going to be a marathon for her to recover, she’s going to be in ICU for quite some time,’ he told 9News.
‘There is still multiple operations they need to plan for.’
Ms McLean, who is from Adelaide, had recently got engaged to her boyfriend, Harry, after a five year relationship.
The young couple were making plans for their upcoming wedding.
Mr O’Rourke said Ms McLean was a lively character who made everyone around her laugh.
‘Emma’s the sort of person, when she walks in the room, she brightens it up, brings a lot of joy to everyone and she’s just everyone’s friend,’ he said.
Her devastated loved ones and colleagues have rallied around her and her family while Mr O’Rourke has set up a GoFundMe to help cover medical costs.
‘Emma faces a long road ahead and we want to do everything to assist in her recovery,’ Mr O’Rourke wrote.
Ms McLean’s boss Dan O’Rourke (pictured) said his colleague faces a ‘marathon recovery’
The horror crash happened inside the tunnel (pictured), when the black Audio crashed into the silver sedan, before the sedan collided into a truck
More than $19,000 has been raised so far with a target of $25,000.
Ms Galbraith, who was originally from the Northern Territory, worked at Flinders Private Hospital, in the intensive care unit.
Her heartbroken boyfriend released a statement following her death and said he was struggling to come to terms with his future.
‘You came into my life when I needed you most and you made me the happiest man in the world,’ Blayde Brummelhuis wrote.
Flinders Private Hospital general manager Janet Jogeneel said in a statement staff have been left devastated following the death of Ms Galbraith.
‘Lily will be missed by so many people, including those she worked with and those she worked for,’ she said.
Daily Mail Australia contacted Flinders Private Hospital for further comment.
Lily Galbraith, 24 (pictured), who was a passenger inside the silver Mazda, died in the horror crash
The driver of the black Audi convertible Bruce Daley, 56 (pictured) also died at the scene following the collision
Witnesses reported seeing Bruce Daley, stop his black Audi convertible at the entrance of the tunnel, rev his engine, and then take off at speeds up to 200km/h shortly before the crash.
Mr Daley had retired from the Queensland Police Service on medical grounds in 2014.
He had mentioned his mental health struggles in worrying online posts including references to loneliness and suicide.
LifeLine: 13 11 14
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