Australian band provides update on fan left with horrible injuries

Australian punk band Trophy Eyes have given a health update on the young fan who was critically injured during one their recent shows.

Bird Piche, 24, suffered a ‘catastrophic spinal injury’ which left her unable to move when lead singer John Floreani launched himself into the mosh pit at a gig in Buffalo, New York, US in May.

The band, who originated in Newcastle said in a statement they were ‘truly heartbroken’ by the incident but decided to continue their 2024 US tour.

Taking to their social media on Saturday, the band gave an update on Bird’s health journey and now report that the fan is making good progress on her recovery.

‘We are happy to share that Bird is underway in the rehab [rehabilitation] phase of her recovery,’ the band said in a statement posted to Instagram.

‘They continued: ‘With physical therapy, she has regained the movement in her arms and wrists, and feeling has returned to her legs and feet.

‘We all share the same eager optimism for her recovery, however, spinal injuries are very serious, and require a lot of hard work and patience – the first year of rehabilitation is critical.

‘Bird’s tenacity and hard work means that, hopefully soon, she will leave her unit and continue her rehab and recovery in an accessible new home.

‘There’s still a very long road ahead for Bird and her family as they progress through her recovery, so we kindly ask that you keep them in your thoughts and continue to respect their privacy.’

The band also thanked their fans in the post for their support and added: ‘We remain in frequent communication with Bird as we continue to work closely with the family to aid in Bird’s recovery any way we can.’

The band signed off their update, ‘We love you, Bird.’

Trophy Eyes have already donated $5,000 to Bird’s GoFundMe page which has a link on their online band platform.

Fans of the group showed support for both the band and Bird in the comments.

‘Accidents happen and you guys have dealt with this with all the power you have which I have the utmost respect for, I hope that Bird is doing okay and that her recovery is the best it can possibly be,’ messaged one follower.

‘So happy to see all the kind comments on this post to both parties – stay strong and keep going!,’ added another.

‘I send my love to Bird and those who are close to her, I also send my love to the boys in Trophy Eyes,’ posted another fan.

In May, not long after the accident, Bird and her family told NBC News she had regained use of her arms and some leg function, but not full use of her hands and toes. 

‘When you hear about these types of injuries, they’re obviously very serious, so I didn’t expect to have any recovery,’ Bird told the network at the time.

She has now recovered gross motor skills – the most basic movements of arms and legs.

Bird is hoping to develop fine motor skills and the ability to make intricate finger and toe movements to achieve basic, everyday tasks.

‘My arms, they’re… besides my hand dexterity, almost fully there. My fingers don’t have full movement,’ she added.

Bird also revealed her legs were making spontaneous kicking movements.

She explained that she has been going to rehab and her prognosis was very positive.

‘They do think I’ll have full recovery. Nothing is certain, obviously, but they are predicting l will have full recovery of everything,’ she said.

Bird said she had a clear recollection of when Floreani leapt backwards into the crowd.

‘It was, like, his body and my neck, it was a crowd-surfing thing.’

Bird’s family had grave fears for her after the incident. ‘We were even worried she wasn’t going to make it,’ her mother Amy Leigh Flaminio said.

‘It’s going to be a long road, but the early signs are so promising. It’s exciting.’

The show, at Buffalo’s Mohawk Place, was immediately stopped and Floreani accompanied Bird to hospital with her family. 

The manager of Mohawk Place said the venue where the accident took place had a strict ‘no moshing’ policy.

‘There are signs posted everywhere in the venue and notice was included in the emails for this show with the show’s promoter and the band themselves,’ said manger Mike Thor in a statement.

‘Our policy and practised procedure is a full show stop for any stage diving which was put into place for this incident.’

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