For a young man who was close to death in a hospital bed following an horrific road accident – and with his family rushing to Whangārei Hospital to say their last farewell – Jacob Papera has defied the odds.
Jacob had the world at his feet on June 15 in 2021. He had left Otamatea High School at 16 and was on day nine of his first job which would have seen him become an engineer.
But when his colleague driving a work ute was hit by sunstrike, he accidentally turned into the path of a cattle truck and trailer unit. Jacob took the full impact – his list of injuries deemed not survivable.
He suffered a traumatic brain injury, facial fractures, fractured sternum, broken jaw, intra-oral injuries, punctured lung, a fractured T1 at the top of his spine, broken ribs and many more injuries. A pressure sensor was eventually inserted into his brain due to swelling.
On the Glenbervie roadside on the outskirts of Whangārei, he was tended to by Hato Hone St John crews, supported by Northern Rescue Helicopter Critical Care Paramedics Alice Tolich and James Price, before being transported by ambulance to Whangārei Hospital, then flown to Auckland Hospital by the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter for critical care intervention.
Jacob clearly survived against the odds, spending a month in an induced coma and was the recipient of multiple surgeries over a period of weeks.
He was required to undergo extensive rehabilitation at ABI in Auckland and was fed by a tube through his nose for an extended period.
Jacob had to learn to walk, talk and eat.
“My family was told to say goodbye forever. I was not supposed to make it to Auckland,” Jacob explains over a brunch meeting,” says Jacob.
“My Mum came to hospital along with two of my workmates, my boss, my uncle and James was there too. It has been good to catch up with him since I got better. I dropped into the hangar to say thanks. That felt really good.”
Jacob’s predicament could not have been worse and even if he pulled through it was suggested he would likely be in a persistent vegetative state, such was the head trauma from the impact of that truck.
“I got pretty buggered up from that accident but I made it home after two months and just in time for a Covid lockdown and never went back to hospital.
“My view is that if it was not for the rescue helicopter and the teams who worked on me, I would not have survived to have this journey. I would not have survived so my journey simply would not have begun. It’s only because of those medical professionals and pilots that I had a chance. That’s pretty special. Pretty amazing.
“My left leg and arm were badly damaged from the impact and I was told I would never use them again.
“My leg got better because to learn to walk I had no option but to use both legs. My goal since day one has been to go back to work – I had that drive. Friends and family have been there to support me and while I don’t remember the accident, I remember being at work that day and a couple of conversations.”
But Jacob is extremely determined and in early 2025 he competed a two-week course in Auckland with an aim to become a CNC Machinist, so he is still planning on a career in the engineering field.