7 Days After Fighting Death in Foreign Land, Surfing Sensation Flown 1736 Miles for Final Rescue Attempt

The surfing world is ingrained with feelings of fraternity and community. Anytime a surfer is in need of support, they can safely bet on their peers. The world witnessed this solidarity last week when a four-time Australian surfing champion sought help from the surfing world after a severe health scare. As per his expectations, the surfing community soon rallied behind him, but his situation deteriorated in the following days.

Mark Richardson, the Aussie star, was in Bali for a surfing spree when a sudden illness took hold of him. From the hospital bed, he sought the help of the surfing community, who came forward with remarkable support. Even after a doping scandal in 2013 had tarnished his reputation, the community did not give up on him. As Richardson’s condition continued to worsen, pushing him to the very edge of death, the surfing community knew it was time for drastic action.

Surfing champion Mark Richardson gets medevaced

Mark Richardson’s problems started when he could not find the rare blood type for his blood transfusion. He resorted to pleading with the surfing fans, writing, “I am in a Bali hospital and desperate need of some blood transfusions…My blood type is rare to find in indo and I am looking for anyone who is A negative or O negative to help me recover from this problem I have been facing. If anyone can help please reach out forever grateful”. His supporters in Australia arranged for the blood but could not fly it out to Bali.

In the meantime, Richardson’s condition had become more unstable. Fiona Meyer, who had information on his condition, reported to The Inertia that “it would have been fatal had he stayed in Bali as he was hemorrhaging”. The doctors in Bali were at their wits ends because Mark Richardson was bleeding internally and needed transfusions to save his life. But the rare blood type was still unavailable in the small island.

His supporters in his home country could not sit idly by anymore and resolved to have him back in Australia. They arranged to have him medevac from Bali under proper medical supervision. After hours of anxiety, the GoFundMe page for the surfing hero updated that the medevac had been successful. However, this is just the first step as the clouds of uncertainty still loom over Mark Richardson’s survival and recovery.

Mark Richardson in dire condition

Mark Richardson has safely reached Darwin, and the doctors have stabilized him for now. They are running elaborate tests to ascertain the real cause of the hemorrhage. The doctors are also worried about the fatally low platelet count and the accumulated fluid around his abdomen and lungs. Mark Richardson also has hypoxia because of the low blood count. The doctors ran CT scans on his head, abdomen, and chest, all of which came positive. The doctors have updated that Mark Richardson caught a parasitic infection in Bali that has inflamed his large peptic duodenum ulcer.

Read More: “Have Every Intention of Being 90 and Surfing”: Kelly Slater Remained Optimistic on His Future Despite ‘Feeling Pretty Old’ in 2016

The ulcer has bursts, putting him at the added risk of septicemia. His life is still at risk, and the doctors do not want to surgically remove the ulcer just yet. They have used metal clips to prevent further bleeding and are also treating him for the parasite. The surfing world is waiting patiently for further updates and is praying for Richardson’s speedy recovery.

WATCH THIS STORY: Kelly Slater’s IG following Shows He Still Follows Supermodel Ex-Girlfriend Gisele Bundchen As Well As Former Hubby Tom Brady