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The parents of Para-snowboarder Matthew Robinson, Stephen and Carol Ann Robinson, have asked the Australian Paralympic Committee to issue the following statement on behalf of their family.

“Our son Matthew was injured in a snowboard accident in La Molina, Spain on Wednesday, 12 February. Matthew sustained serious injuries, from which he unfortunately was unable to recover. We are devastated by Matthew’s tragic passing. This is an extremely difficult and emotional time for our family, his fiancée Gecel and her family.

We would like to thank the people of Spain, and particularly the medical staff who attended to Matthew in La Molina, the staff of the intensive care unit at Hospital de Sabadell in Barcelona, the Australian Paralympic Committee, the Australian Institute of Sport and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for their extraordinary support. We also extend our thanks to the medical crew of the Air Ambulance, the Australian Ambassador in Kuwait, the Australian Consulate in Spain and the International Paralympic Committee.

In particular, we would like to extend our personal gratitude to Dr David Hughes and medical staff Joel Cooke and Kate Wensley, who provided constant support 24/7 during our time in Spain. We would also like to thank Matthew’s coach Peter Higgins, all of his teammates, and family and friends for their kind words and ongoing support.

Matthew was an amazingly kind and loving son, brother, fiancé, uncle, nephew, cousin and mate. We are doing our best to come to terms with his loss. Matthew was the light in so many people’s lives, a young man whose strength, courage and passion shone from within and touched so many, near and far. His determination to take life’s challenges on and conquer the world and achieve his dreams was second to none. He was universally and unconditionally loved and will be forever missed.

Our priority is to now bring Matthew home and lay him to rest. Until this takes place, we will not be issuing any more public or media statements.

May the memory of Matthew continue to inspire those who knew and loved him.

‘Those that invest the most are the last to surrender.'”

By APC Media
Posted: 22/02/2014