Peter Bradley needs the community’s help.
The longtime Comox Valley chef suffered a serious injury while cycling home shortly after his shift at Cornerstone Taphouse, Aug. 8.
“He was riding home after work in the dark, clipped a post and crashed. Unfortunately, he was not wearing his helmet and hit his head,” said Cornerstone Taphouse manager, Lisa Spizzirri.
Bradley’s roommate, Amanda Young, was one of the first on-scene.
“I came along about a minute after it happened - there were already a couple of people there, tending to [Peter],” said Young. “It was quite clear to all of us, even before the paramedics showed up, that he needed a lot of stitches, both to his head and his elbow… and he likely had a concussion.”
Young was told at the scene that she could pick Bradley up from the hospital in a few hours, but when she arrived at the hospital, the situation had changed.
Young was informed that Bradley had a subdural hematoma and had to be airlifted to Victoria.
He was placed in a medically-induced coma, and taken to Victoria for surgery and care.
Bradley was in Victoria for more than a week.
He has returned to his Courtenay home, where he continues to recover.
The staff and management at Cornerstone are rallying to help him with his recovery, with a couple of fundraising initiatives.
On Thursday, Aug. 29, $3 from every Gladstone beer sold at the Cornerstone Taphouse will go to a recovery fund Bradley. There will also be a donation jar set up at the downtown Courtenay eatery (208 Fifth Street), and local businesses are helping out with door prizes.
Additionally, there is a crowdfunding page being set up for people to donate online., at https://bit.ly/2MyNEQ7
“The money will go directly to Pete for his day-to-day life and to help him support his three children,” said Young, who added it’s unknown at this time when he will be able to return to work. “He’s still receiving physiotherapy from the out-patient therapy centre here, but I don’t think they have given him an actual [time-frame] for returning to work. My guess is it would be at least three weeks to a month before he is actually physically capable of spending eight hours a day at work.
“Anything anyone can do to help out will be greatly appreciated.”