Hampton rallies for young mechanic paralyzed in crash: ‘Miracle he survived’

Bobby Connell always made time to help out at his old job at Farr’s Famous Chicken, cooking alongside owner Paul Conway even after he’d moved on to a career as a mechanic.

Now, the 25‑year‑old is getting that same support back from the beach community that loves him as he begins a long recovery from a serious car crash last November. Paralyzed from the neck down, he returned home to Hampton Beach on Jan. 29 after two and a half months at Spaulding Rehabilitation Center in Charlestown, Massachusetts. His family’s home on Harris Avenue is now being renovated to accommodate his needs and round‑the‑clock care.

“It’s terrible, absolutely terrible,” said his father, Todd, a known representative to Seacoast restaurants for Sysco Food Solutions.

A GoFundMe to help the family has been launched by Judy Conway — who, with her husband Paul, hired Connell at Farr’s when he was 14 — along with Traci Schaake, a longtime friend of Connell’s father and manager of Boardwalk Cafe and JB’s on the Boardwalk. Their goal is $50,000, and the fundraiser had reached $6,475 as of Feb. 5.

“He just really became part of our family,” Judy Conway said.

Connell’s expenses are mounting, forcing his father to take unpaid leave while he searches for solutions. Still needed are several major home modifications, including a wheelchair‑accessible ramp, widened doorways, extensive bathroom renovations with an accessible shower, and transportation‑related upgrades. Todd Connell said the bathroom work alone will cost $39,000.

“There’s a lot of things that you need,” Connell’s father said.

Connell badly hurt in ‘devastating’ car crash

Connell’s crash occurred Nov. 8 at 10:30 p.m., according to his father. He said his son was rushed to Portsmouth Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery.

Connell had been driving home from work in Wakefield on Route 16 after helping a friend deliver containers to roofing companies. He had just filled his gas tank when he turned onto the road and hit a soft shoulder on a 55‑mph corner.

“He had to accelerate pretty quick,” his father said. “He ended up on a soft shoulder going off the road.”

Connell’s truck struck a tree, ripping off the rear axle and causing the vehicle to roll. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

“It was like a tumbling machine,” Connell’s father said. “He ended up breaking his neck, and then he was trapped inside.”

Police told the family that if Connell had been wearing a seatbelt, he likely would not have survived. The driver’s side of the cab was crushed, and part of the engine was pushed into the cabin, his father said.

“Actually, it was kind of like a miracle that he didn’t die,” Todd Connell said.

A second miracle, he said, was the doctor’s ability to save his son at Portsmouth Hospital. Connell’s parents did not receive a phone call about their son’s accident until 1:30 a.m. that night, as it took authorities time to figure out how to reach his family.

Connell came out of the crash paralyzed from the neck down. Staff at Spaulding were able to help him get feeling back in his legs, feet and fingers.

“It’s a great sign that he might make a recovery,” Todd Connell said.

Hampton Beach community rallies behind Connell family

Hampton community members are helping with their own fundraising efforts in addition to the GoFundMe. Maryrae Preston, who owns Sand and Santa on Ocean Boulevard, said she is planning a fundraiser in April. The location and date are still in the works, but Preston said she intends to get a few local restaurants to sponsor a raffle event. She said Connell’s mother, Sue, was always close with Preston’s late sister-in-law and a “frequent flyer” at her store.

“She’s overwhelmed,” Preston said. “When something like this happens, it takes a village, and you gather up the girls, and you make things happen.”

Connell has so far gotten a hospital bed that can lift him onto his wheelchair. Todd Connell said they also installed a ramp for $11,000 and spent between $10,000 and $12,000 on renovating one of their rooms, he said.

“Now we’re looking for a van with a lift,” Todd Connell said.

The Connells have deep roots in Hampton — Connell’s father having lived there since 1978, and his mother since 1963. His father ran the Beach Nut House of Pizza from 1993 to 1999, where he was known for his award‑winning lobster rolls.

Connell grew up working at the beach. In addition to Farr’s, he spent time at the Cascade restaurant when he was young, his father said.

Connell eventually became a certified technician to work on Toyotas. His father said his son wanted to open his own garage one day. The two of them have gotten into fixing up old cars as a hobby. Most recently restoring a 1971 Chevelle, as well as a 1968 Impala, both convertibles.

“He’s a very hardworking kid,” his father said. “People love him.”

Connell has told his father and others he is determined to overcome his paralysis, which his father said can be treated with dedicated therapy. Judy Conway said Connell spoke about getting back to work when she visited him at Spaulding.

“He says, ‘All I want is to have my hands back because I love being a mechanic,'” Judy Conway said. “He’s really strong. He’s not sitting there crying.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald. Reporting by Max Sullivan