Eve Jeffery
The Northern Rivers market stall family have come together to embrace a much loved member who was badly hurt at work.
‘Tornado Twisters’ Jim Liston had an accident on Saturday July 8 at the Byron Beachside Market late in afternoon at the end of food service. As he was packing up, there was a mishap with the oil and Jim was badly burned.
Market neighbour Donna Peyr from Pocket Curries said she heard Jim cry out and when she rushed over she could see he was in trouble. Donna says her assistant Gypsy knew how to handle the burns and as they we rushing Jim to the showers, a man who happened to be a doctor from a Sydney hospital burns unit also came to the rescue.
‘Gypsy was the one who knew exactly what to do’, said Donna at the Lismore Car Boot on Sunday. ‘She had gone to get water then she said we have to get him under the shower.
The doctor saw what was happening and reassured Jim telling him he would be fine. ‘He was very calm with Jim and just kept saying “mate, you’re going to be ok”. He was amazing. And Gyspy was amazing’, said Donna. ‘This young girl, she just knew how to help.’
Lismore Car Boot Market Manager Marny Bonner says the tightly knit market family are all pitching in to help. ‘Everyone here is a valid member of the market community. We’re one big tribe and we like to look out for each other. We are taking up a collection at today’s market because Jim and Jenny have lost their livelihood for some time.
Stall holder Mel Solecki instigated a collection with tins around the market. Mel says that in the few years she has been in the area she has always felt welcome and supported. ’We are an amazing market community’, said Mel. ‘Jim and Jenny are the most wonderful caring people and we all love them. This whole market community is very supportive of each other.’
Jim’s partner Jenny told the Echo yesterday that Jim had been discharged from hospital on Friday and is now recuperating at home.
Jenny says that Jim has has surgery to place four skin grafts. ‘It all went well and we have been told by the doctors at Royal Brisbane that he should make a full recovery which is wonderful news.’
‘Our fellow marketeers have been truly amazing with their love, help and support on the night of the accident and continue with their loving support. We both are so very grateful to all of them’.
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