There are still six people in hospital in Victoria following the accident that took place on Monday (Feb 22).

Harry Whelan, a hosted buyer from Sydney, was released from the Intensive Care Unit at St Vincents on Wednesday (Feb 24) afternoon following two surgeries. In addition to significant facial injuries, Whelan has two broken ribs and a broken collarbone. He spent eight hours in Emergency after the crash and will be in hospital for at least another week.

An American woman, who has undergone eye surgery, is still hospitalised with broken ankles. A third victim from Singapore is believed to have serious spinal injuries and is likely to spend at least three more months in hospital. Spice has no further information on the other three victims.

Despite rumours, no one is in a coma.

There was one Indian, one Singaporean, one American and three New Zealanders in the group of sixteen, plus the driver, who were involved in the accident.

Spice has spoken to close friends and colleagues of the victims and they have expressed disappointment and anger over the lack of proactivity and empathy shown by AIME, MCB and Reed representatives.

Further to this, there is widespread confusion over the inaccurate reporting of the victim’s injuries that were described as ‘cuts and bruises’ at the press conference, at the Tourism Australia lunch and later on that evening at the welcome event.

Following a conversation with an MCB representative, it has become clear that the information regarding the state of the victims on the Monday morning came directly from Emergency Services. MCB said that Reed representatives visited all of the victims in hospital on Monday (Feb 22).

Here is the official statement from the organisers that was issued on Wednesday (24 Feb).

If you have any further information about the wellbeing of the victims, please contact the editor: egardiner@intermedia.com.au / 02 8586 6186.