British big wave surfer Tom Lowe suffers broken ribs and internal bleeding after suffering a huge crash in Tahiti
- Tom Lowe, 29, was taken to hospital with six broken ribs and internal bleeding
- He was surfing waves in Tahiti when he was thrown headfirst into the sea
British big wave surfer Tom Lowe has been hospitalized with six broken ribs and internal bleeding after suffering a huge wipeout in Tahiti.
The 29-year-old father-of-one was surfing the waves off the coast of Teahupo’o in southern Tahiti on Friday when he was thrown headfirst into the Pacific Ocean.
Video shows Lowe taking off late on a big wave before losing his balance and being thrown into shallow water where sharp pieces of coral slice into his body.
Lowe, from St Ives, Cornwall, was nowhere to be seen when the huge wave crashed on him in the horrific incident.
Those watching in horror at the obliteration rushed to rescue the critically injured surfer from the water before taking him to a nearby hospital.
Tom Lowe was rushed to hospital yesterday after a brutal wipeout. Click the link for more updates from Teahupo’o. https://www.surfline.com/surf-news/swell-alert/teahupoo-awakes/177788
Posted by Surfline on Saturday April 29, 2023
British big wave surfer Tom Lowe (pictured) was taken to hospital with six broken ribs and internal bleeding after suffering a huge wipeout in Tahiti
The 29-year-old father of one child was injured after the obliteration. Pictured: Lowe surfing in Newquay, UK in August 2014
Lowe underwent surgery and a blood transfusion after suffering six broken ribs, a fractured shoulder blade and internal bleeding. When his pregnant wife Tess and daughter Tigerlilly heard about the life-threatening accident, they rushed to his bedside.
“I feel really lucky to have made it,” Lowe wrote in an Instagram post.
“It’s been a tough day,” Lowe later told Surfline. “But I’m in one piece and I’ll come back, born again and ready to fight.”
Lowe’s friend Greg Long has since set up a GoFundMe page to help collect runs for the surfer’s “heavy” medical bills, as his insurance won’t cover his treatment.
Long wrote: “During the recent monumental swell in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, Tom suffered a severe wipeout.
“His resulting injuries from impacting the reef required him to be airlifted to the hospital where he underwent multiple emergency surgeries.
“He is currently in stable condition but will need to be closely monitored in hospital for the coming days.”
Lowe (pictured) underwent surgery and a blood transfusion after suffering six fractured ribs, a fractured shoulder blade and internal bleeding
Long said each donation will help Lowe and his family cover his medical expenses and support his rehabilitation process.
“Tom has been a dear friend for years,” Long wrote. “Anyone who has ever met Tom knows him as a humble, kind and talented surfer who is a devoted family man to his wife Tess, daughter Tigerlilly and soon-to-be baby along the way.
Tom has a long road ahead of him, but by nature he is positive, combative and wholeheartedly grateful for all the love and support that is being shown to him.
“It’s not in my nature to ask for handouts, but in this case I don’t know what I would have done without them,” Lowe said of the donations. $36,000 (£28,800) has been raised so far.
“I am completely overwhelmed and impressed by the generosity and kindness that everyone has shown,” said Lowe. “Thank you for all your positive energy and thoughtful messages.”