A Brazilian surfer and his wife have shared horrific pictures and video of their injuries after a car crash mangled their vehicle in Southern California.
Victor Bernardo and Johnni Bufkin Bernardo posted images of their battered and bandaged bodies from their hospital beds following the smash.
A video Johnni posted showcased a snapped nose and bruising across her eyes, while Victor had his leg wrapped up.
The couple were traveling south on Interstate 5 after returning from a trip to Catalina Island when their vehicle collided with a truck around 10:45 p.m. on Aug. 17. Victor, 28, was airlifted to an emergency trauma center, while Johnni was taken by ambulance.
In one image, Victor is pictured lying in a hospital bed with heavy bruising and swelling around his eyes, a bandage covering his injured nose and visible marks across his face. In another, the couple can be seen holding hands from their beds, with IVs and medical wristbands underscoring the severity of their ordeal.
Both remain in the ICU: Victor suffered a fractured leg and a severe wound above the knee. Doctors initially used an external frame to stabilize the injured limb before later removing it, a development Victor’s agent, Mike Townsend, said could point toward a more favorable recovery.
Despite the carnage, the surfer’s medical team is already looking toward the next chapter. Before one of Victor’s surgeries last Wednesday, his doctor told Townsend: “Let’s get this guy back in the water.”
Johnni was also badly injured, suffering internal bleeding in her abdomen and facial fractures that required surgery.
Remarkably, she was able to call Townsend and others close to the couple from the scene of the wreck, alerting them to what had happened.
Surfing filmmaker Logan “Chucky” Dulien, a close friend of the Bernardos who has also collaborated with Victor on the “Snapt” series, broke the news to the surfing world: “Please keep @victorbernard0 and his wife @jbuff9 in your prayers. On Sunday night they were in a very serious car accident that easily could have been fatal but by the grace of god are still with us.”
He added, “Victor was airlifted to the hospital and his wife Johnni was taken in by ambulance. They are currently both still in the hospital preparing Victor for surgery and doing their best to improve his wife’s condition.”
“It’s going to be a very long and expensive road to recovery but I’m confident the surf community will rally together to support and uplift them on the challenging journey ahead. For now just put out positive thoughts, love, prayers and healing energy for them both,” Dulien concluded.
The plea sparked an outpouring from the surfing community, with elite surfers, filmmakers and friends sending love and well wishes.
Victor has built his reputation as a standout Brazilian freesurfer largely outside the traditional competitive circuit.
But getting back on a board is still a long way off. The couple faces more surgeries, medication and rehabilitation in the months ahead, with no discharge date in sight.
A fundraiser has been launched to help cover the financial strain of their recovery, including everyday expenses and medical treatment.
“Any amount of financial support in covering their living expenses (rent, car payments, meals, cat food, and medical procedures) would be extremely appreciated during this difficult time,” the fundraiser states.
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