This Is Guernsey

By Nick Mollet

FORT ROAD accident victim John Murphy is today off the critical list. Mum Moira and sisters Jenny and Helena have been at the 22-year-old’s bedside in Salisbury District Hospital after he sustained horrific injuries outside the Fermain Tavern in the early hours of Saturday morning.

He is said to have serious back injuries and a broken pelvis.

‘He is out of critical condition and may be moved out of intensive care today,’ a close family friend said yesterday afternoon.

‘It’s just a miracle - he is a superhero,’ the person said.

‘He woke up a couple of days ago and the first thing he asked me was what was the Tottenham score.’

Friend and Guernsey Post colleague Tom Falla, 24, said yesterday: ‘I think it’s a miracle he is alive - what happened to him would have killed a lot of people. He is very strong and is lucky to be alive - there is no doubt about that.’

Mr Falla has donated an hour’s pay towards Mr Murphy’s recovery, along with many others at Guernsey Post.

‘The family and myself appreciate everything they have done at Guernsey Post. They have been absolutely incredible and are going to pay for my flights to go over and see him, which is a lovely gesture,’ he said.

Mr Murphy’s close circle of friends have already begun collecting books, music and magazines for him for when they are able to visit him in a UK hospital.

‘They are not sure if they are going to transfer him to Bristol or London. We are just waiting to find out where he is going to be based and will be going over there to support him.

‘He is good fun, loyal, sociable and happy and dedicated to his friends. He is just a lovely and popular guy,’ he said.

‘We are a really close bunch. Everybody is in shock but pulling together and helping each other to cope.’

Mr Falla has been friends with Mr Murphy for about 12 years.

‘I had a text message from his sister early on Saturday morning to say he would not be going into work, but I did not know the details then,’ he said.

He heard the bad news about his friend’s accident at Saturday lunchtime.

‘I had heard that somebody had been run over. It was just a complete shock and I was worried and anxious,’ he said.

‘It’s hard to believe and I’m still trying to take it all in and am waiting for developments. It’s small progress at the moment.’

Former Grammar School pupil Mr Murphy studied music production at university and when he returned to the island worked as a messenger for Barings for a short period.

He had been a postie for only four months, working the L’Islet round, but in that short time had made a big impression on colleagues.

He is an MC for the Asylum Seekas, assuming the name Apex and writing his own lyrics.

He was not performing on Friday but spending a night out with friends at the Fermain Tavern. It is understood that he had booked a lift with a postman who drives taxis in his spare time when the accident occurred.