Latest news with #MatthewBright
The Advertiser
15-07-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
'One day at a time': community rallies around devoted dad burned in kitchen fire
WHAT should have been an otherwise quiet night at home took a horror turn for loving husband and father Matthew Bright. The 32-year-old spent his birthday having surgery at Sydney Royal North Shore Hospital's intensive care unit, after he suffered serious burns in an accidental kitchen fire at Waratah just before 5pm on July 7. The "gentle, kind, thoughtful, strong" and devoted dad faces several surgeries and a long journey to recovery ahead. His father, Hugh, told the Newcastle Herald his son suffered burns to 40 per cent of his body, but he's grateful to still have him here. "To be honest, I'm one of those people who take one day at a time," he said. "If I think about last week, I'll have a cry; if I imagine what the future might look like, I'll have a cry. "Not that those things aren't important, but the important thing is just to be here today for him, face whatever it is that's on today, and that's the best we can do. So much worse could have happened." Mr Bright, his wife Claire and four-year-old daughter Bella live on Coolamin Road, just a few doors down from the police station and less than ten minutes from the local fire station. Emergency services arrived at the scene as quickly as they could, rushing Mr Bright to John Hunter Hospital with critical injuries into a helicopter that was on standby. Mr Bright was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital for further specialist treatment, where his condition, while serious, has stabilised. He had his first surgery last Wednesday and faced a second on Monday. Mr Bright said he is incredibly grateful to the nurses, doctors and medical staff who have diligently cared for his son. He described Mr Bright as outgoing, friendly, and passionate about Indigenous and workers' rights. "He loves the Newcastle Knights, which is almost compulsory here," he said. The whole family is quite musical, Mr Bright said, and his son loves his death metal, although he "did not get that from his parents", and has previously played bass for local bands. He ran his personal best at Lake Macquarie Parkrun last month and had taken up rugby league with the Waratah Mayfield Cheetahs. "Above all, he is just a passionate father, just a really great father," Mr Bright said. The community has wrapped their arms around the family, offering words of much-needed support, love, song recommendations to play to Mr Bright in the hospital and encouragement in an extremely difficult time. As of Monday, a GoFundMe to support Mr Bright's family and his ongoing medical costs had raised more than $18,000 in just 20 hours. Mr Bright said he and the family have been blown away by the outpouring of support. "You read these stories, thankfully not all the time, about these GoFundMes, and it hasn't really dawned on me yet that Matthew is that person now," he said. "I'm not in denial about it or anything, but it's just blown me away the level of support we've had, and on that side we're soaking it up at the moment because it's getting us through it." Every morning, in the Bright family group chat, they send the same words: "From darkness to light. The sun got up. Our precious boy is still with us. He is in the best place for his care. And he has us." To make a donation click here or visit the GoFundMe website. WHAT should have been an otherwise quiet night at home took a horror turn for loving husband and father Matthew Bright. The 32-year-old spent his birthday having surgery at Sydney Royal North Shore Hospital's intensive care unit, after he suffered serious burns in an accidental kitchen fire at Waratah just before 5pm on July 7. The "gentle, kind, thoughtful, strong" and devoted dad faces several surgeries and a long journey to recovery ahead. His father, Hugh, told the Newcastle Herald his son suffered burns to 40 per cent of his body, but he's grateful to still have him here. "To be honest, I'm one of those people who take one day at a time," he said. "If I think about last week, I'll have a cry; if I imagine what the future might look like, I'll have a cry. "Not that those things aren't important, but the important thing is just to be here today for him, face whatever it is that's on today, and that's the best we can do. So much worse could have happened." Mr Bright, his wife Claire and four-year-old daughter Bella live on Coolamin Road, just a few doors down from the police station and less than ten minutes from the local fire station. Emergency services arrived at the scene as quickly as they could, rushing Mr Bright to John Hunter Hospital with critical injuries into a helicopter that was on standby. Mr Bright was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital for further specialist treatment, where his condition, while serious, has stabilised. He had his first surgery last Wednesday and faced a second on Monday. Mr Bright said he is incredibly grateful to the nurses, doctors and medical staff who have diligently cared for his son. He described Mr Bright as outgoing, friendly, and passionate about Indigenous and workers' rights. "He loves the Newcastle Knights, which is almost compulsory here," he said. The whole family is quite musical, Mr Bright said, and his son loves his death metal, although he "did not get that from his parents", and has previously played bass for local bands. He ran his personal best at Lake Macquarie Parkrun last month and had taken up rugby league with the Waratah Mayfield Cheetahs. "Above all, he is just a passionate father, just a really great father," Mr Bright said. The community has wrapped their arms around the family, offering words of much-needed support, love, song recommendations to play to Mr Bright in the hospital and encouragement in an extremely difficult time. As of Monday, a GoFundMe to support Mr Bright's family and his ongoing medical costs had raised more than $18,000 in just 20 hours. Mr Bright said he and the family have been blown away by the outpouring of support. "You read these stories, thankfully not all the time, about these GoFundMes, and it hasn't really dawned on me yet that Matthew is that person now," he said. "I'm not in denial about it or anything, but it's just blown me away the level of support we've had, and on that side we're soaking it up at the moment because it's getting us through it." Every morning, in the Bright family group chat, they send the same words: "From darkness to light. The sun got up. Our precious boy is still with us. He is in the best place for his care. And he has us." To make a donation click here or visit the GoFundMe website. WHAT should have been an otherwise quiet night at home took a horror turn for loving husband and father Matthew Bright. The 32-year-old spent his birthday having surgery at Sydney Royal North Shore Hospital's intensive care unit, after he suffered serious burns in an accidental kitchen fire at Waratah just before 5pm on July 7. The "gentle, kind, thoughtful, strong" and devoted dad faces several surgeries and a long journey to recovery ahead. His father, Hugh, told the Newcastle Herald his son suffered burns to 40 per cent of his body, but he's grateful to still have him here. "To be honest, I'm one of those people who take one day at a time," he said. "If I think about last week, I'll have a cry; if I imagine what the future might look like, I'll have a cry. "Not that those things aren't important, but the important thing is just to be here today for him, face whatever it is that's on today, and that's the best we can do. So much worse could have happened." Mr Bright, his wife Claire and four-year-old daughter Bella live on Coolamin Road, just a few doors down from the police station and less than ten minutes from the local fire station. Emergency services arrived at the scene as quickly as they could, rushing Mr Bright to John Hunter Hospital with critical injuries into a helicopter that was on standby. Mr Bright was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital for further specialist treatment, where his condition, while serious, has stabilised. He had his first surgery last Wednesday and faced a second on Monday. Mr Bright said he is incredibly grateful to the nurses, doctors and medical staff who have diligently cared for his son. He described Mr Bright as outgoing, friendly, and passionate about Indigenous and workers' rights. "He loves the Newcastle Knights, which is almost compulsory here," he said. The whole family is quite musical, Mr Bright said, and his son loves his death metal, although he "did not get that from his parents", and has previously played bass for local bands. He ran his personal best at Lake Macquarie Parkrun last month and had taken up rugby league with the Waratah Mayfield Cheetahs. "Above all, he is just a passionate father, just a really great father," Mr Bright said. The community has wrapped their arms around the family, offering words of much-needed support, love, song recommendations to play to Mr Bright in the hospital and encouragement in an extremely difficult time. As of Monday, a GoFundMe to support Mr Bright's family and his ongoing medical costs had raised more than $18,000 in just 20 hours. Mr Bright said he and the family have been blown away by the outpouring of support. "You read these stories, thankfully not all the time, about these GoFundMes, and it hasn't really dawned on me yet that Matthew is that person now," he said. "I'm not in denial about it or anything, but it's just blown me away the level of support we've had, and on that side we're soaking it up at the moment because it's getting us through it." Every morning, in the Bright family group chat, they send the same words: "From darkness to light. The sun got up. Our precious boy is still with us. He is in the best place for his care. And he has us." To make a donation click here or visit the GoFundMe website. WHAT should have been an otherwise quiet night at home took a horror turn for loving husband and father Matthew Bright. The 32-year-old spent his birthday having surgery at Sydney Royal North Shore Hospital's intensive care unit, after he suffered serious burns in an accidental kitchen fire at Waratah just before 5pm on July 7. The "gentle, kind, thoughtful, strong" and devoted dad faces several surgeries and a long journey to recovery ahead. His father, Hugh, told the Newcastle Herald his son suffered burns to 40 per cent of his body, but he's grateful to still have him here. "To be honest, I'm one of those people who take one day at a time," he said. "If I think about last week, I'll have a cry; if I imagine what the future might look like, I'll have a cry. "Not that those things aren't important, but the important thing is just to be here today for him, face whatever it is that's on today, and that's the best we can do. So much worse could have happened." Mr Bright, his wife Claire and four-year-old daughter Bella live on Coolamin Road, just a few doors down from the police station and less than ten minutes from the local fire station. Emergency services arrived at the scene as quickly as they could, rushing Mr Bright to John Hunter Hospital with critical injuries into a helicopter that was on standby. Mr Bright was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital for further specialist treatment, where his condition, while serious, has stabilised. He had his first surgery last Wednesday and faced a second on Monday. Mr Bright said he is incredibly grateful to the nurses, doctors and medical staff who have diligently cared for his son. He described Mr Bright as outgoing, friendly, and passionate about Indigenous and workers' rights. "He loves the Newcastle Knights, which is almost compulsory here," he said. The whole family is quite musical, Mr Bright said, and his son loves his death metal, although he "did not get that from his parents", and has previously played bass for local bands. He ran his personal best at Lake Macquarie Parkrun last month and had taken up rugby league with the Waratah Mayfield Cheetahs. "Above all, he is just a passionate father, just a really great father," Mr Bright said. The community has wrapped their arms around the family, offering words of much-needed support, love, song recommendations to play to Mr Bright in the hospital and encouragement in an extremely difficult time. As of Monday, a GoFundMe to support Mr Bright's family and his ongoing medical costs had raised more than $18,000 in just 20 hours. Mr Bright said he and the family have been blown away by the outpouring of support. "You read these stories, thankfully not all the time, about these GoFundMes, and it hasn't really dawned on me yet that Matthew is that person now," he said. "I'm not in denial about it or anything, but it's just blown me away the level of support we've had, and on that side we're soaking it up at the moment because it's getting us through it." Every morning, in the Bright family group chat, they send the same words: "From darkness to light. The sun got up. Our precious boy is still with us. He is in the best place for his care. And he has us." To make a donation click here or visit the GoFundMe website.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Aussie dad's horror incident while cooking for daughter: 'So shocked'
Doting dad Matthew Bright was going about his daily routine with his four-year-old daughter when their lives suddenly changed following a horror cooking incident. The Newcastle teacher was making dinner for his little girl Bella, when the frying pan he was cooking with suddenly caught fire. Matthew was wearing a highly flammable hoodie while he cooked, which burst into flames, leaving him with significant burns to 40 per cent of his body. A neighbour who spotted the blaze and called Triple-Zero before he was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital, and underwent surgery on his 32nd birthday to treat the devastating burns. Hugh Bright, Matthew's devastated dad, told Yahoo News the family are in complete shock. "If I focus on what happened last week, I cry," Hugh said. "If I think into the future about what might be, I cry... all of us are so shocked." 😲 Aussie dad's fight against invasive threat spreading 'everywhere' in our waterways 🪨 Dad's incredibly rare $46,000 discovery inside stone 🔓 Aussie's startling 26kg find while locking up home It's understood that four-year-old Bella was the only one home with her dad at the time of the incident. When emergency services arrived, it's understood the little girl led the crews to her dad in the kitchen. "We don't really know what happened," Hugh admitted. It's unclear whether Bella saw what happened in the kitchen, with only one small scorch mark on the kitchen cupboard suggesting the fire didn't spread; however, the family are keeping a close eye on the four-year-old. Matthew has remained in the intensive care unit since last week and is due to undergo another surgery on Monday to treat his burns. His close-knit family has rallied around Bella and his partner Claire, who now face financial uncertainty with mounting medical costs. A GoFundMe page has been launched to alleviate some of the money concerns the family now faces. Matthew has been described as "quiet and passionate" — a teacher who adores looking after his students and spending time with his own daughter. "He really is a great father... they are constantly doing things together, he just adores Bella," Hugh said. "We're just taking one day at a time." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Express Tribune
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Spring Breakers sequel ‘Salvation Mountain' emerges after 12 years — here's what to know
A sequel to the 2012 cult hit Spring Breakers has officially been announced, this time titled Spring Breakers: Salvation Mountain, featuring a new cast and creative team. The project, unveiled at Cannes by Capture — a joint venture between Capstone Global and Signature Entertainment — marks a fresh take on the original's rebellious energy, this time tailored for Gen Z audiences. Matthew Bright (Freeway) will direct the sequel, replacing original filmmaker Harmony Korine. While Korine is not involved, producers Chris Hanley (American Psycho) and Jordan Gertner (Bully), who backed the first film, are returning. Capstone Studios is financing the production, with international sales being handled by Capture's Ella Field, Asia Muci, Emilie Barra and Nathan Wang. Leading the new cast is Bella Thorne, joined by Ariel Martin (Zombies 2), Grace Van Dien (Stranger Things), and True Whitaker (Godfather of Harlem). The plot follows a group of rebellious girls who head out for spring break in what producers describe as a 'crime thriller' and 'a bold new ride for Gen Z.' According to the synopsis, when their spring break escapade spirals out of control, they must escape the chaos they've unleashed. Speaking about the project, Hanley and Gertner said they are excited to revisit the world of Spring Breakers and 'keep exploring bold, new, disruptive stories around that wild, fever-dream of youth.' They added, 'The desire for spring break to go on forever is something we've never let go of.' The original Spring Breakers, starring James Franco, Selena Gomez, and Vanessa Hudgens, grossed over $30 million worldwide on a $5 million budget and gained a cult following. A previous sequel attempt titled Spring Breakers: The Second Coming was shelved in 2017.
