Joshua Schuetz ‘breathing independently’ in huge boost for family by Perth boy’s side in hospital

A Perth boy crushed by a quad bike in Bali is now able to breathe on his own, a development loved ones say is a “huge milestone” as he fights for life in intensive care.

Joshua “Joshy” Schuetz was critically injured when the bike he was a passenger on flipped, pinning him to the ground, during a tour in Ubud on Wednesday.

The boy, aged eight, suffered a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain and required emergency surgery.

He was flown back to Perth in an induced coma on Friday night before he was transferred to Perth Children’s Hospital.

Family friend BJ Ariasa said there had since been a massive boost for family supporting Joshy by his bedside.

“He’s in hospital, still in a coma, but is breathing independently and this is a huge milestone in itself,” Ariasa said.

“Thank you for all of your efforts so far. Please keep sharing and keep this going.”

Joshy remains in intensive care in hospital and his condition is still listed as critical.

More than $120,000 in generous donations have been contributed to a GoFundMe to help the family with medical costs.

But not all messages have been so supportive.

Ariasa said she had received “horrendous” and “absolutely disgusting, abusive” emails, forcing her to clarify the family’s insurance situation.

She said the family had “top cover” but did not read the fine print and were unaware there would be no safety net for emergencies like this.

Joshy was in Bali for a futsal tournament where he was going to line up with teammate from the Cockburn Wolves at the weekend.