Caleb Collyer, 9, was in a critical condition after an ATV crash in December.
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Before December 20, 2025, Shepparton nine-year-old Caleb Collyer rarely stayed still.
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A lover of basketball, karate, Muay Thai and other sports, he expected to spend his school holidays on the move.
But instead, on the first day of the break, a serious accident at a Greater Shepparton property left him fighting for his life.
He was on an ATV with his sister Ava and six other teenagers at a birthday party when it flipped, trapping him underneath.
Caleb’s grandmother Kylie Morrow said the first 24 hours were touch and go.
“By the time (paramedics) got there, he was very unwell ... in and out of consciousness,” she said.
“His diaphragm ... had ruptured, and so all his organs and his stomach came up into his chest with the force of the accident, and it moved his heart across.
“His heart is now in the centre ... he can live a normal life with it there.”
After being stabilised at Goulburn Valley Health, Caleb was flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne and went straight into surgery.
He suffered from internal bleeding, a lacerated liver, a hole in his spleen, six spinal fractures, broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a mild traumatic brain injury.
But what has caused the most problems is the tube that connects his kidney to his bladder, which was ripped out in the accident, and for which he’s since undergone multiple surgeries.
Caleb Collyer, 9, has undergone multiple surgeries since being at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
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Despite a couple of setbacks, Caleb is recovering well, even exploring the Royal Children’s Hospital.
“He's been introduced to the Starlight Room, which is the PlayStation room that they've got,” Ms Morrow said.
“He's able to get into the wheelchair and (his parents) can take him around the hospital.
“He does a couple of trips a day.”
Ms Morrow said none of the medical professionals expected him to survive, saying it was “remarkable” he was still here given the extent of his injuries.
She said community support had been amazing, and the GoFundMe had helped out Caleb’s mother, who had had to give up work to concentrate on being there for him.
“We’re lucky his dad is still getting paid ... (but) my daughter’s self-employed, so she doesn’t have any money coming in,” Ms Morrow said.
“Everybody's just pulled together and been very helpful.
“Every cent helps.”
Ms Morrow said their family was thankful for the emergency services and medical staff who had been involved with Caleb and had gone “above and beyond”.
Although it looks like Caleb will be in hospital for at least another six weeks, he’s on the road to recovery.
“Every day has its challenges for him,” Ms Morrow said.
“He's still got a long road ahead of him ... once all the internal injuries are healed, he'll then have to start intensive therapy to learn to walk properly again.
“He's a very strong-willed little boy ... he always has been.”
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