A young man who survived a car crash that killed his friend and footy teammate Nick Campo has broken his silence after being placed in an induced coma for 11 days.
Tyler Rowe, 18, was a passenger in a Toyota HiLux when it rolled and collided with a black Jeep Patriot SUV on Farrington Road in North Lake just before midnight on Saturday, July 13.
South Fremantle footballer Nick Campo, 18, died in the crash.
After being discharged from Royal Perth Hospital, Mr Rowe spoke about how Nick Campo’s birthday celebrations took a fatal turn.
“I didn’t know what had happened, my parents had to tell me that I was in a car crash, and I was like, that’s impossible,” he told 9NEWS.
“I just really wish it wasn’t Nick, because it has hurt me a lot … I know it has hurt his family a lot.”
Mr Rowe said he had known Mr Campo for four years after moving to Perth from Narrogin.
“Every time I’d see him like, we would always have a little joke about something. He was just laughing the whole time…he was one of a kind.”
Mr Rowe said doctors believed he had a 50 per cent chance of surviving the crash — which left him with a broken jaw, neck and pelvis.
After being placed in a coma for 11 days, his future in football remains unknown.
“There could be a fatal risk if I cop a big hit to the head,” he said. “It could have been a lot worse. It could have been like my mate, who was sadly taken away in a crash.”
Mr Rowe also threw his support behind Mr Campo’s parents, who want to launch a road safety campaign.
“(I’d like to issue) another big thank you to everyone who supported me and my family through this hard time.”
“I’m really, really sorry, to anyone who’s been hurt by this.”
The 18-year-old was eased out of sedation and “opened his eyes” for the first time on July 24. On August 8, Mr Rowe updated his Facebook profile picture with an image of his mate Nick Campo.
In a simple message next to the photo along with a heart emoji, he posted: “Rip Campo.”
Mr Campo was a popular member of the South Fremantle Colts Football Club. Mr Rowe also plays for South Fremantle.
Just a week after the crash, their footy teammates took to the field in their honour in front of hundreds of people at Community Bank Oval.
Five days after the crash Nick Campo’s parents, Daniel and Bianca, opened up about how they hoped to channel their grief into pushing for lifesaving change on WA’s roads.
“It’s something we never thought would happen to us, and we certainly don’t want it to ever happen to any other parent,” Mr Campo said at the time.
“But we see it every day — young kids think they’re bulletproof. They’re not.
“They’re not experienced enough to drive cars with others in the back, distracted, talking on their phones, distractions, running red lights etcetera, hooning. It’s got to stop.”
Mr Campo said he would launch a campaign called “Call out for Nick” which would advocate for road safety and encourage young drivers to take care.
“It’s not going to stop overnight, but it’s our job now to try to make a difference,” he said.
The 17-year-old driver, who cannot be named because of his age, has been charged over the crash.