Friends rally after Irish man suffers burns in Australia work accident

Mick Jardine (37) is now in a medically-induced coma in hospital after the welder suffered burns to his hands, face and chest when, it's understood a beer tank he was working on exploded in Kincumber, in Sydney,

He was air-lifted to the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney where he is receiving treatment in the specialist burns unit.

Mick and his wife Caroline McCormack (41) from Navan, emigrated to to Australia two years ago and set up their new home in Avoca, outside Sydney

Her parents Michael and Olive and brother Stephen still live in Navan.

Caroline's sister Michelle tragically passed away from Leukaemia a number of years ago.

As Mick is self-employed, family and a huge circle of friends in Ireland and Glasgow, where Mick is from, have started a Go Fund Me page to help the popular couple and their two young children Louis (6) and Florence (3)

A separate fund is being set up by their friends in Australia.

The couple's best friend Stephen Cullen, who lives in Trim, said everyone was 'devastated by what happened."

"Myself and my wife Sandra have been best friends with Mick and Caroline for the last 14 years and were even thinking about moving out to Australia to them

"All we know at this point is that there was some kind of explosion on Wednesday afternoon last and Mick suffered 25% burns to his face, hands, arms and chest.

"His hands and arms are the worst at the minute and he will probably need a lot of skin grafts and physiotherapy down the line. It will be long road to recovery.

"He is just out of theatre and they don't know until he comes out of the coma if there will be damage to his eyes."

The clinical nurse manager added that the the couple had been living their dream life in Australia.

"They loved it out there. Their children love it and they are very much loved by the vast network of friends that they have over there.

"We are all in shock at the minute. Caroline is just numb and is focussing on her children at the minute

"Mick was self-employed and Caroline was a full-time mam so they've lost all their income. That's why we have set up this page - so she can just concentrate on her family and not about money.

"I'm not in a position to fly out there at the minute so I'm knocking on every door and ringing every bell so tell them about this good guy that needs our help.

"He is also a huge Celtic fan so if there are any Celtic supporters who can even throw a euro into the fundme page - every euro adds up."

It's understood that SafeWork NSW has launched an investigation into the accident

Caroline's brother Stephen McCormack is also urging anyone who can help to get on board

"My parents would desperately love to fly over there but can't because of medical conditions. This is a way our family feel we can help in the immediate time and ask anyone with any spare funds to help our campaign."

Anyone who would like to donate can do so

here