John Craike: Son Ry gives update on his dad’s condition in RPH after boat hit whale off Kalbarri

A 69-year-old father is still in a critical condition but awake and making good progress after being badly hurt when a whale hit his boat. John Craike’s son Ry, who was also caught up in the drama, gave an update on his dad’s progress in hospital in a heartfelt Instagram post. The pair were fishing 18km off the coast of Kalbarri when their 7m catamaran collided with the whale about 6.45pm last Tuesday. In the post, Ry posted a series of videos and images of himself and his father. “My boat was struck on the port side bow by a whale on the steam back to Kalbarri,” he wrote. “I headbutted the dash and received some wounds to my head while my old man was left seriously injured as he took most of the impact.” Ry, a 39-year-old professional surfer, said it took him nearly an hour to get back to Kalbarri, where he was met by sea search and rescue near the river mouth. Two sea-search personnel boarded the vessel to give John medical treatment. “I am so happy to say that my old man is now awake and is making good progress, receiving the best care possible,” Ry posted. “He received a lot of serious injuries but he is a stubborn old bugger and we are hopeful in time he can make a full recovery and get back do doing what he loves. “If it wasn’t for my boat the Double Barrel being built like an absolute tank — I’m not sure if we would even still be here.” John has been a professional fisherman for more than 50 years and his son said their combined experience gave them more than 80 years of time on the ocean. “I love whales and it’s so good to see the population increasing but it’s now something we all need to take into consideration when out on the ocean,” Ry said in the post. “With the technology of speed boats becoming so good and the amount of whales around we need to take extra precautions.” Ry said his family had been overwhelmed by the love and support shown to them. “My old man is 70 in September and you would be hard pressed to find a more active 70-year-old out there,” he said. “He foil boards daily and loves anything to do with the ocean, the true definition of the eternal grommet. “Please send him lots of positive healing vibes and hopefully he is back out doing what he loves as soon as possible.” John received medical treatment in Kalbarri before being flown to Perth for treatment at Royal Perth Hospital. An RPH spokesperson said on Monday that he was still in a critical condition in ICU.