Senior Constable Mark Barclay, who experienced a horrific fall when the ground gave way during a holiday with family in Tasmania 16 months ago, has returned to work on the Sunshine Coast.
This is a huge achievement for Mark and a great relief to his family, friends and colleagues.
In late December 2021, during a visit to a waterfall in Tasmania with his family, the ground underneath Mark gave way, causing him to fall a significant distance onto rocks and water below.
Mark was put into a coma for three weeks with fractured legs, significant facial fractures requiring reconstructive surgery and swelling on the brain resulting in other complications.
Seven weeks later, Mark was flown back home and transferred for specialist treatment to the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
The Sunshine Coast Tactical Crime Squad officer and valued member of the Police Dive Unit is described as an amazing, generous and positive person.
Known also for his smile and pasty white skin, the husband and father of two young children had a long journey of rehabilitation and recovery ahead.
In February last year, Queensland Police made a big splash as they rallied around their colleague arranging a 24-hours swim-a-thon to help raise support for Mark and his family.
Last week, Sunshine Coast District Superintendent Craig Hawkins welcomed Senior Constable Barclay back on duty crediting his self-determination, resilience, commitment and positivity.
“Mark is a truly inspirational individual,” Superintendent Craig Hawkins said.
“I would also like to thank everyone involved in the fund raising and support offered to Mark and his family, particularly the Sunshine coast District Tactical Crime Squad team that rallied and drove this support.”
Senior Constable Barclay said he was buoyed by the ongoing support of family and the service alike.
“I am extremely lucky to have a great family around me for support. But in addition to this support the generosity, encouragement and assistance from all my colleagues has enabled me to stay positive, motivated and continue pushing to this day where I can get back out on the road and look forward to coming to work each day; not only to support my community and give back where they have helped me, but to also be side by side with my colleagues again,” Senior Constable Barclay said.
“Thank you for everything everybody did for me through this extremely difficult time in my life and I am ecstatic about and looking forward to the future.”
