Joshua Schuetz: Young soccer player takes ‘first steps’ after horror Bali quad bike crash

A young Perth soccer player who almost died in a Bali quad bike crash has taken his first steps in hospital since the serious accident.

Joshua Schuetz, 8, was holidaying in Ubud with his parents and three siblings when he was critically injured during a quad bike tour on November 20.

The young boy — known as ‘Joshy’ — was a pillion passenger on a quad, driven by his teenage brother, when it left a narrow path and flipped into an adjacent rice field.

He was thrown into a body of water and pinned underneath the quad before being rushed to hospital with injuries including a fractured skull and a brain bleed.

The eight-year-old underwent emergency surgery to save his life.

After arriving back home on a mercy flight the boy has since made a giant recovery, a family friend revealed.

“Joshy is in a much better situation than 2 weeks ago due to the constant professional care he is receiving around the clock at Perth Children’s Hospital from all the specialist doctors and nurses,” Bernice Ariasa told The West on Sunday night.

“This week he has been committed to a ward and is no longer in ICU and he has been able to talk a little bit, and with the aid of everyone, he’s been able to take some small steps as well.

“Like we have always said, Joshy is a fighter, and although these are small improvements, Joshy has come a long way from where he was.”

The family have since extended their thanks to all the “love and support from the entire community”.

Joshy was in Bali for a soccer tournament with the Cockburn Wolves Football Club.

Several of his young teammates continued the tournament just days after the crash in honour of their mate.

More than $128,656 has been raised online to help fund hospital bills for the Schuetz family, who said it wasn’t covered by their insurance.

Ms Ariasa previously told The West the family was only covered for the mercy flight back home.

“Again the family would like to thank everyone who’s donated and appreciate all the generosity from the people of Perth,” Ms Ariasa said.

Venom Futsal Club will host a Futsal tournament on December 21 in an effort to raise funds for Joshy’s family.

You can contribute to the fundraiser here.