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Teen guide injured in White Island eruption thanks NZ public for support from his hospital bed

January 22, 2020

Jake Milbank has suffered burns over 80 per cent of his body. He’s now spoken out for the first time.

The teenage tour guide who was badly injured in the Whakaari/White Island eruption has given an update on his health and expressed gratitude for those who donated to his recovery from his hospital bed.

Nineteen-year-old Jake Milbank was celebrating his birthday on December 9 when the volcano erupted, resulting in 20 people losing their lives.

Jake suffered burns to 80 per cent of his body and a Givealittle page was setup to help him recover.

To date, the page has raised $139,485 from 2675 donors.

Jake thanked those who donated in a message posted to the page.

"To everybody who has been supporting me I would like to say a big Thank You.

"We are grateful for the kind donations received through the Givealittle page and I am enjoying reading the awesome messages and comments that have come, they’ve really helped me," Jake wrote.

"A few days ago I moved out of ICU and into the National Burns Centre. This is a big step in my road to recovery.

"So far I have had 14 visits to theatre – sometimes the surgeons are grafting parts of my body and other times they are changing my dressings and checking out the progress of the work they have done.

"Now that my fingers are no longer bandaged I have been able to use my iPad to catch up with my friends.

"Thank you so much for your kindness – it means a lot to me," he concluded.

Seventeen people were killed in the eruption while two others are still missing.

GNS released a statement today saying White Island remains in a state of unrest, but there is only a one per cent chance of another eruption in any 24-hour period during the next four weeks.

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