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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Gavin O'Callaghan & Clare McCarthy

Teen who was airlifted to hospital after horror bike crash 'can't remember anything about it'

A 16-year-old girl who who was airlifted to hospital in Cork after being hit by a car while cycling can't remember anything about the incident.

Last May, Adrija Sipaila was cycling home from school in Dungarvan when she was hit by a car and seriously injured.

Gardai are still investigating exactly how the accident unfolded, while Adrija had to be airlifted to Cork University Hospital for treatment.

However, as she was knocked unconscious in the crash, she has no memory of it.

READ MORE: Dad's appeal as daughter cycling home from Waterford school involved in horror collision with car

Her father Julius, who got to the scene within five minutes of it happening, says she lost six teeth, part of her upper jaw bone, and suffered a broken collar bone, torn thigh, and split chin.

She also suffered a broken lower jaw as a lot of nerve damage which resulted in more of her teeth dying and implants being put in.

Since the accident Adrija has undergone multiple surgeries and has more ahead, with the long term hope that she'll have implants in around three years.

The costs involved in "helping Adrija smile again" are huge, and her family are now hoping to fundraise for specialist treatments in Lithuania.

Adrija Sipaila was airlifted to Cork University Hospital with horrific injuries (GoFundMe)

Her father has launched a GoFundMe fundraiser following the "unimaginable disaster" to help pay for her medical treatment.

Her schools insurance have also covered some of the costs for treatments in Ireland, but the family have decided to go further so they can get her to a top surgeon in Lithuania to work on her jaw bone.

Speaking about the accident Julius said: "To praise the pilot isn't enough because everyone expected him to land in the school's sports stadium, but he decided to land straight onto the street 100m away from the scene.

"Doctors managed to save her life, her head injuries were terrible but her brain and spinal cord were not damaged. She is walking and talking again."

He added that she's been on a "liquid diet" since, and "won't be able to bite on anything for the next 2-3 years".

If you'd like to find out more information on Adrija's recovery you can view the GoFundMe link here.

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