Nethra Krishnamurthy, an IT professional settled in Melbourne, Australia, was heading back to her office on Friday after breastfeeding her eight-month-old baby at a daycare when a car ran over her and several other pedestrians.
The stolen car, driven by an Australian man on Melbourne’s Bourke Street, left Nethra and six critically injured. Five people died and 31 others were also injured in the rampage.
Nethra, an IT professional who hails from Mysuru in Karnataka, lives with her husband Mohan Kumar and child in Australia and had just returned from maternity leave last week to her job.
The new mother, who suffered multiple injuries including deep lacerations to her head, fractured ribs and a punctured lung was admitted to the ICU at the Alfred Hospital
In a Facebook post on Monday, addressed to "anxious friends, family and anyone concerned in public", Mohan wrote about how "Our lives have been changed forever".
"Yes, I was with her when this happened. I was lucky to miss the impact but unlucky enough to witness the massacre first hand. The impact resulted to her in multiple injuries. The major ones being liver, kidney, intestinal and scalp lacerations. Multiple Spinal fractures, rib fractures and a punctured lung. She has been through multiple surgeries starting from Trauma Laparatomy with appropriate internal procedures (liver, kidney & intestine), IVC filter implantation, tube insertion between the lung and chest cavity. She also had Ventilator and nasogastric tube," he wrote.
He said their son was currently being looked after by friends and that his mother also arrived on Sunday night to take care of her grandson.
"It was very hard knowing that there was one more person entirely dependant on her and I had no idea what to do at the time. He was always breastfed she was trying very hard and unsuccessful in getting him out to formula," he stated.
Of her recovery, Mohan wrote that Nethra was keeping strong and was responding positively to the treatment.
"She had her Ventilator removed on Sunday. Had the nasogastric tube and the lung tube removed on Monday. She is now on lower sedation which means, she's been able to be awake and be aware of things going on around. Monday she has been able to talk and drink fluids. MRI report showed no spinal nerve injury which is promising. The spinal fractures and kidney laceration are being treated conservatively. She is currently due for the plastic surgeons to operate on scalp lacerations. It's a very long road to recovery but now I am hopeful."
A crowdfunding campaign started online to raise funds for Nethra's treatment has already raised over $100,000. Tanvir Chowdhury, who created the campaign, wrote "Given the severity of her injuries, Nethra will remain in hospital for quite some time, and following this will have a long road to recovery, both physically and psychologically. Please help us to raise funds for this mum and her young family, during this unfathomably difficult time."
Nethra, who works as an integration developer, did her schooling in Kalaburagi and pursued her graduation from the National Institute of Engineering, Mysuru.
According to recent reports, James Gargasoulas (26), the driver of the car, has been charged with five counts of murder. He also refused to appear before a judge and his lawyer said that he was recovering from surgery to his arm, after being shot in the arm by police.