Preparations are being made to airlift Canadian accident victim Dave Wheatley off the Island for medical attention in Canada.

Friends of the 28-year-old musician, who was critically injured in a motorbike accident in Hamilton Parish on Sunday evening, are raising money to help pay for the expected $15,000 cost of an airlift for him.

Mr. Wheatley has played drums with the band 8 Feet at Flanagan's bar on Front Street for the last two tourist seasons.

He suffered serious head injuries and a broken leg after his bike was involved in a head-on collision with a car on North Shore Road near the junction with Winton Hill Road on the evening of September 17.

Former ambulance orderly Makia Lekki, who aided the stricken rider at the scene, has been praised by others for the way he controlled the situation until emergency services arrived.

Mr. Wheatley remains in a critical condition in the intensive care unit at KEMH.

Friend Mirelle Allan-Wheeler said Mr. Wheatley, from Toronto, enjoys martial arts, music and movies and spent the past two years in Bermuda with his band mates. She is appealing on behalf of his family for donations to help pay the extra bills for his ongoing health care and air transfer to Canada.

She added: "Organisations such as PricewaterhouseCoopers and Prime Management Ltd. have elected to allow the funds raised from events such as Denim Day to be given to Dave's care and Flanagan's is planning some entertainment evenings in Dave's honour.

"In addition, at any time, Flanagan's is a collection spot to drop off donations for the family and everything given is very gratefully received. Please keep Dave and his family and friends in your hearts and prayers during this time of healing.

Anyone wishing to pass on donations can do so at Flanagan's or by contacting reporter Scott Neil at The Royal Gazette on 278-0157 or e-mail sneilroyalgazette.bm