A teenager who was left fighting for his life after being crushed by a whale is now out of his coma.
Nick Mayhill’s family has confirmed the 18-year-old is now conscious after being hit by a whale who leapt onto his boat in a freak accident in Australia last week.
The teenager is now said to be able to communicate with hospital staff after eight days of coma, 9newsau reports.
Nick was fishing with his stepddad Mathew Price, 39, when the 10metre whale leapt out of the water and onto their vessel – which was half its size.
The whale “head-butted” the teenager, sending him flying to the back of the boat, which in turn caused him to smash his head.
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(Image: Facebook)
Speaking at the time of the terrifying incident, Mr Price recollected how the two were out for a haul of king fish when they say a “huge shadow” coming towards them.
“I saw a flash of white, his belly, it was twice, maybe three times, the size of the boat and knocked the engine out,” Mr Price told the Daily Telegraph .
“There was a big loud crash, it was like a giant truck struck us side on.”
According to a Facebook post by NSW police, Mr Price put through a mayday call as he tried to swim back to the boat ramp despite the vessel filling up with water.
Paramedics treated both Nick and his stepddad at the scene before they were taken to hospital.
Nick was later airlifted from Moruya Hospital to Canberra Hospital while his Mr Price was treated at Moruya hospital for facial lacerations and a concussion.
(Image: Police handout)
Maritime NSW previously said it had launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“While inquiries are in their infancy, the incident demonstrates the dangers these mammals can pose to those on the water,” Superintendent Joe McNulty said.
