More than $4000 has been raised to assist with Kerry Grover’s recovery after he was struck by a falling tree branch and pinned against a stump on a private block of land at the end of July, resulting in the 68 year old having to be airlifted to a Sydney hospital.

Mr Grover’s daughter-in-law, Diane Grover, said the accident left him with 12 fractured vertebrae, multiple fractured ribs and a punctured lung.

“It’s unclear at this stage if he will ever walk again,” she said. “The road to recovery is expected to take months to years.”

Mr Grover, from Lemon Tree Passage, had been helping his nephew, Tim, clear his block of land at Anna Bay on the morning of July 27 when the incident occurred.

Mr Grover walked under a tree branch as it fell, pinning him between it and a stump. Diane said after it was not clear why her father-in-law had walked forward towards the tree.

“Tim was with him when it happened,” she said. “He said he looked up to see the branch coming down but Kerry was looking down.

“Tim yelled out to him to watch out and Kerry looked up but moved towards Tim at the same time. We think Kerry may have dropped something. It was just a freak accident.”

Paramedics were called to the Anna Bay property near Biscay and Bungwall Close about 11.45am.

Mr Grover was trapped for at least 45 minutes while rescue crews, including three paramedic teams, Fire and Rescue workers and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter worked to free him.

Once freed, Mr Grover was airlifted in a critical condition to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle for an assessment.

He was then flown to Royal North Shore Hospital where an MRI revealed he had 12 broken vertebra, from T1 through to L1, and a punctured lung. Additionally, every rib on the right side of his body was broken.

A GoFundMe page, which can be found by searching for Support for Sharon and Kerry Grover, has been established to help the family meet the costs of medical bills, rehabilitation and future modifications to their home such as installing ramps.

Tanilba Bay Golf Club, of which Mr Grover is a member, is also helping to raise funds. A raffle will be held at the club on August 23 at 6.30pm.

Tickets can be purchased from the club or by phoning 0434 389 944. A golf day will also be held on Monday, October 1.