BUTUAN CITY – One of Siargao’s rising professional surfers is battling for his life after a road accident left 20-year-old Mike Escoltura unconscious Wednesday afternoon.

He was transported onboard a speed boat from Siargao Islands to Surigao City, a trip that took 3 hours. In Surigao, he was taken to hospital for treatment.

Escoltura reportedly sustained fractures, chest trauma and head injury and is in a coma. He was later referred to a private hospital here for further treatment and is under intensive care.

The doctor is giving Escoltura three days to regain consciousness and recover, his twin brother Mark said. The doctor fears Mike could have been severely affected during the accident, Mark added.

Mike Escoltura and his friends were riding a motorcycle on their way to a beach in Pilar town when the accident happen.

A car heading toward their direction allegedly overshot a sharp curve hitting the motorcycle which Escoltura and two of his friends were riding. Escoltura's friends were also admitted in a hospital but the surfer sustained the most serious injuries.

“We need your prayers and help so Mike can get through in this difficult period of his recovery,” Mark said in the local dialect.

Mark saw his brother tossed in the air before landing hard on the ground.

Mike Escoltura's surfing skills were recognized as early as 2010 when, at age 15, he reached the quarterfinals of the 12th Siargao National Surf Cup.

In 2011, he finished third runner-up in the juniors division of the 3rd Cantilan Surfing Open and 1st runner-up in the 9th National Lanuza Surfing Festival.

He finished 2nd runner-up in the 18th Siargao International Surfing Cup in 2012 and declared champion in the Cloud 9 Masters Championship Juniors Division in the same year.

Thanks to his achievements, the latest of which is the juniors championship in last year's Siargao Surfing Cup, Escoltura is considered one of the most promising pro surfers in the country.

His family and friends are mobilizing a series of fundraising activities in different locations in Siargao beginning Saturday until April 30 to cover Escoltura’s medical expenses.

The family of Mike Escoltura can be contacted at (0912) 709-5914.