MILF Manor star Joey Burford in hospital and will need 'facial reconstruction surgery' after scooter crash

Kelle Mortensen, who starred alongside her son on the controversial reality show, set up a GoFundMe page called Support Joey's Journey to Recovery, where she explained the full details of what happened to her son and asked for help in paying for his medical expenses.

The 53-year-old wrote that her son would require “multiple facial reconstruction surgeries” due to the injuries he suffered to his face. She also posted several photos that had been taken of Joey shortly after the crash which show his face severely swollen, bruised and covered in fresh blood. His eyes appeared to be swollen shut and blackened, and he also had a breathing tube in.

Kelle wrote on the page specifically what had happened: She said: “I’m reaching out to you today with a heavy heart to share that my son, Joey, has recently been involved in a serious scooter accident. This tragic event has resulted in significant complications that will require him to undergo multiple facial reconstruction surgeries.”

She said that her son is “facing a long and challenging road to recovery”, and added that the family are being “confronted with mounting medical bills” amid the uncertainty of when the star would be able to return to work. Asking for donations, she said: “Your support would mean the world to us during this difficult time.”

In an update posted on Sunday (October 20), Joey's mum announced that he had been in surgery for three hours as surgeons worked to correct the fractured bones in his face. She said it was “lucky” that Joey had survived the accident, adding that it was a “total miracle that he didn’t break his neck or back”.

In the most recent update, posted yesterday (Monday October 21), she gave more positive news and said that Joey could now breathe on his own. She wrote the update came “just minutes after his breathing tube was removed”.

She added that she was “relieved to report” the bleeding on Joey’s brain, which was his most serious injury, has now stopped. The next step in his treatment will be a swallow test to determine if he is well enough to leave the Intensive Care Unit. If he passes the test, she wrote, that means he could be moved to a floor for less severe cases and then possibly even discharged by Wednesday or Thursday of this week (October 23 and 24).

However, she reaffirmed that he would still have a “long road to recovery”, which would then include “additional facial surgeries” and “extensive dental work” to repair the traumatic effects of the crash.

Kelle also wrote that he would be exclusively on a “liquid diet” for at least six weeks due to “plates and screws in his face”. In addition to the surgeries and procedures Joey will have to undergo in the upcoming weeks and months, he will also need “both physical and occupational therapy to regain his strength and independence”, his mum added.

As of Tuesday morning (October 22), Joey's GoFundMe page had received more than $35,000 (around £27,000) of its $50,000 (around £38,000) goal, with 360 donations to date. 

Kelle also gave thanks to those who donated in a short clip posted to her Instagram Stories on Monday. She said: “This has definitely been the hardest two days of my life. I would not wish this upon anybody. It’s a complete miracle he’s alive. I can’t even believe it. Thank you Jesus for saving my baby.”

In another update, she posted a short video of Joey speaking from his hospital bed. The star’s speech was slowed and slurred because of his injuries, but he also offered his thanks to those who had donated and kept him in their thoughts. “Thank you to everyone who’s praying and donating. I appreciate you guys more than you even know,” he said.