An 18-year-old man from Australia died following a severe head injury sustained during a backflip he performed to celebrate moving into a new apartment.
According to the Independent, Sonny Blundell passed away on June 30, six days after he suffered a major head injury while performing a backflip inside his Gold Coast apartment during a celebration with friends.
Blundell had recently relocated from the Central Coast of New South Wales to Queensland. He was eager to begin a fresh chapter of his life alongside his girlfriend, with work lined up in concreting. According to his family, the move was something he had long looked forward to achieving.
On June 24, while spending time with friends, Blundell attempted a backflip in the living room of his newly rented apartment on the Gold Coast. Witnesses said he lost control during the stunt and hit his head on the floor. Although he initially appeared to walk away from the incident, the head trauma would soon prove fatal.
Later that evening, he went to bed complaining of a headache. Overnight, his condition worsened significantly. He woke up vomiting at some point and then collapsed in the bathroom.
The following morning, Blundell's best friend discovered him unresponsive. Emergency services were called, and Blundell was rushed to a hospital in Queensland for immediate treatment. Upon arrival, he was placed in a medically induced coma due to the severity of his condition.
Blundell’s treatment involved emergency brain surgery as well as admission to the intensive care unit. Medical personnel worked to relieve pressure from his brain and manage multiple complications that followed his initial injury. Despite the efforts, his neurological condition continued to deteriorate.
His sister, Izabella Cromack-Hay, noted that the first 24 hours following his collapse were critical. She described how he suffered a series of strokes and experienced a second brain bleed, which required doctors to insert a tube to drain fluid from his brain. Family members maintained a hopeful vigil but were also deeply concerned about the extent of his injuries.
Blundell remained in a coma under intensive supervision for nearly a week. Sadly, despite all medical interventions, he died peacefully in the hospital on June 30, surrounded by loved ones. The incident has left family and friends devastated.
Blundell’s sister remembered him not only as a risk-taker but as someone who worked hard to build a better future. “Moving to Queensland only a month ago, which was his greatest accomplishment, he worked the hardest concreting and making himself known,” she shared. His work ethic and his devotion to starting a new life with his girlfriend were evident to those close to him.
She also detailed in a GoFundMe appeal the traumatic hours following his injury. “The first 24 hours were the most critical. We nearly lost him after he had multiple strokes and another bleed, which led to him needing a drain in his brain,” she wrote. Friends and family used the platform to raise funds and express their support during the ordeal.
His mother, Madeline Blundell, shared an emotional tribute on social media following her son's passing. "My beautiful baby grew his bigger wings today and passed and is in heaven,” she posted. The message reflected the depth of her grief and the closeness of their relationship.
In another post, Madeline expressed how devastating the loss had been for her. “Sonny died peacefully and is in a beautiful place. My heart is broken and my best friend in the world is gone. I love you my boy,” she added. The post attracted heartfelt condolences from loved ones, friends, and members of the community.
Blundell's death has resonated widely with those who knew him. The tragedy served as a reminder of the unpredictability of head injuries and the lasting impact of seemingly minor stunts gone wrong. Those close to him have continued to pay tribute to his enthusiasm for life and his plans for the future.
As his family continues to grieve, they are remembering Sonny as a young man who embodied energy, commitment, and love. His move to Queensland was meant to mark the beginning of a brighter, self-made journey. Instead, it ended in heartbreak fewer than four weeks later.
