An Aussie dad has shared a desperate plea for help two years after a police officer broke his back in a shocking case of mistaken identity.
In early 2023, Samuel Prendergast, a father from Queensland, witnessed police pursuing a stolen vehicle at the Grand Plaza Shopping Centre in Browns Plains, Logan.
He had been on his way to a birthday dinner with his wife and daughter when they decided to stop to buy a last-minute gift.
Noticing officers in pursuit of car thieves, he advised them about an exit in the underground car park that the culprits might exploit to flee.
But he was mistaken for a thief and crash-tackled to the ground by an officer.
Mr Prendergast fractured the L4 vertebra in his spine and broke two of his ribs.
Recalling the incident to A Current Affair, he said, “I remember he came running up, punched me in the head, knocked me down, then started pressing my face into the floor while kneeing me in the back and ribs.”
Mr Prendergast, who was shirtless and trying to stay cool in record humidity, believes his appearance might have played a role in the mix-up.
Shirtless at the time, Mr. Prendergast had been trying to help the police track the thieves. He speculates that his appearance may have caused the confusion.
While undergoing treatment for his broken ribs and spinal fracture, Mr Prendergast was unable to work or provide financially for his family.
For the past year, he has tried to recover and return to his flooring business, but he has re-injured his back twice in the process.
Mr Prendergast has started a GoFundMe outlining his predicament and the mounting financial pressure he and his family are now facing.
The family faces financial difficulties with bills like a $2,800 monthly mortgage, $650 for car finance, plus basic living costs and medical expenses not covered by Medicare.
‘Specialists have now told me I’ll never be able to install floors again – the trade I’ve built my life around for years,’ he wrote.
‘Every avenue for support has hit a dead end: Victims Assist Australia rejected my claim, saying I “wasn’t a victim”.
“Without TPD insurance through my super, I’m unable to work in my trade due to lasting injuries, legal battles continue, yet the bills won’t wait.”
The hardworking dad said donations would be used to help ‘bridge the gap’ while he retrained for work in another field.
Samuel Prendergast (pictured) suffered a long-term injury to his back after he broke two ribs and fractured his spine when police tackled him to the ground in early 2023
‘I’ve always worked hard to provide for my family. I’ve never been one to ask for handouts,’ he continued.
‘But with no income and mounting bills, we’re at risk of losing everything we’ve worked for.
‘I’m determined to get back to contributing and supporting my family – I just need some help to get there.’
Queensland Police released a statement at the time, saying body worn camera footage would be reviewed by the force.
‘First-response policing is dynamic and fast-paced by nature and officers immediately cordoned the area off,’ a spokesperson said.
‘During the search a man was detained by police and subsequently released.
‘The man left the scene without providing police his details.’
The GoFundMe has a goal of raising $3,000.
