Wick crash victim takes first steps
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A BACK-seat passenger who was seriously injured in a two-car collision near Murkle has taken his first steps in over three months.
Kevin Morrice (37), from Wick, was in a coma for four weeks following the crash in January in which he broke all his ribs to the right side of his body and suffered bleeding to the brain.
After being treated at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for over two months, he was transferred to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness last month to continue his rehabilitation.
This week saw major progress in his fight to return to fitness when, with the help of nursing staff, he was able to walk for the first time since the accident.
As a result of his injuries, the left side of his brain was badly damaged and he has still not regained the power of speech.
His parents, George and Syd Morrice, from Lybster, have been constantly at his side.
Mrs Morrice told the John O’Groat Journal that even though there is a long way to go, they are confident Kevin may be able to regain some normality in his life.
“It’s going to take a good while before he can regain his speech and eat independently again, but he is working on that,” she said.
“When he gets visitors he always recognises them and gives them as a smile.
“He loves seeing friends and family, and understands everything that is being said to him.
“This week he was using a walking frame and he has also been on an exercise bike which is a huge step forward.
“He still uses a wheelchair to get around the hospital, but he can move independently.
“We don’t know if he will ever get back to full health due to the severity of his brain injury, but we are confident he can gain some normality back.
“The one thing we know is that he will have a good quality of life when he leaves Raigmore and comes home.”
Ever since the accident, friends and family from across Caithness have been organising fundraising events to help Kevin’s family.
More than Over £2400 was raised at a pool and darts competition held at the Commercial Hotel in Lybster in March.
A charity auction is being held tomorrow at the hotel, starting at 7.30pm.
Among the items up for grabs are a 21-year-old bottle of Old Pulteney, four tickets to Bfest in Wick, and signed football memorabilia from Aberdeen FC and Wick Academy.
His friend, Craig Morrison, from Halkirk, is also doing a 10k run in Aberdeen in tribute to Kevin and the money raised will go towards the accident-and-emergency department at Caithness General Hospital.
Mrs Morrice said the support they have received from the local community has touched the hearts of everyone in the family.
“We can’t believe the kindness and generosity that people have shown since the accident,” she said.
“It makes you glad that you live in a small rural area where people make things like these happen and want to help.
“It also makes you appreciate what an asset Caithness General Hospital is to the area as, on the night of the accident, they could not have done enough for us.
“Once he leaves hospital, he will stay with us for a while, but hopefully he can eventually get back to his own house in Wick.”
