Grateful: Troy Tiburcy, centre, says thanks to Don Chichios Pizza and Pasta manager Tony Bazzano and Australia’s Got Talent star Chooka Parker.
THREE months ago Troy Tiburcy was stuck in a Bangkok hospital after a diving accident — now he is on the road to recovery and could not be more thankful.
The Ballarat man, who is currently recovering with his auntie in Sea Lake in northern Victoria, returned to the Wendouree restaurant yesterday that played an integral part in bringing him home to Australia.
Mr Tiburcy was scuba-diving off Pattaya Beach just after Christmas when he lost his mouthpiece and rose to the surface too quickly, which caused decompression sickness.
The condition was not immediately recognised by Thai doctors and he was at one stage stuck in hospital being treated for mental health issues, unable to afford a medical evacuation home.
However, having heard of Mr Tiburcy’s plight, Don Chichios Pizza and Pasta manager Tony Bazzano raised more than $6000 on Australia Day when his restaurant donated every dollar it made on the day towards bringing Mr Tiburcy home.
Australia’s Got Talent star Chooka Parker also performed on the day to help raise funds.
Yesterday 24-year-old Mr Tiburcy made his way back to Ballarat for the first time since the diving accident to thank those who helped him out.
“If it wasn’t for Tony and his pizza shop, who knows what could have happened,” Mr Tiburcy said.
“How could you not say thanks to people who did what they did, event though they didn’t know me.”
