Indigenous teenager Eathan Henry is in a stable condition at Cairns Hospital after suffering life-threatening injuries in an alleged hit-and-run near the Mount Garnet rodeo grounds.
Mr Henry, who turned 18 a week before the incident, was walking with a friend from the rodeo grounds towards Mount Garnet about 2.30am on Saturday when they were allegedly struck from behind.
The Cairns Post reports the pair were about 1.5km from the rodeo grounds when they were allegedly hit by a four-wheel-drive with a bull bar travelling in the same direction.
The vehicle allegedly failed to stop and render assistance.
Mr Henry, from Mount Garnet, was flown to Cairns Hospital in a critical condition.
A Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service spokeswoman confirmed on Monday that Mr Henry was in a stable condition in intensive care.
A 25-year-old Mount Garnet man was also taken to Atherton Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Family friend and spokeswoman Kara Nugent said on Sunday Mr Henry was in an induced coma, with his family by his side.
The family is asking for the driver to come forward.
"The family is urging the person responsible to come forward to police," Ms Nugent told local media.
"The family believes someone knows something and is asking for the community's help.
"Anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage from the Kennedy Highway area is asked to contact police."
Police are urging anyone who travelled on the Kennedy Highway between Atherton and Mount Garnet between 2.30am and 4am on Saturday, May 2, particularly anyone with dashcam footage, to come forward.
The alleged incident happened during the annual Mount Garnet Races and Rodeo event, one of Far North Queensland's most popular events, with up to 3000 people camped at the rodeo grounds over the weekend.
A support flyer shared by the family said Mr Henry was receiving care in Cairns, with loved ones by his side.
It said the family was facing unexpected costs, including accommodation, meals and travel, while they remained close to him during his recovery.
The flyer asked the community to support Mr Henry's mother, Marita, through a direct PayID donation, saying funds would be available to the family as they came in.
The family thanked those who helped after the incident.
"The family would like to publicly thank, from the bottom of their hearts, the passers-by who stopped, called triple-0 and stayed with the boys until emergency services arrived," Ms Nugent told local media.
"The family is requesting privacy during this time.
"They ask for speculation and unverified information to stop being shared."
Investigations are ongoing as QPS told National Indigenous Times they are "continuing to appeal for information, dashcam or CCTV from the Kennedy Highway."
Anyone with information can contact Policelink on 131 444 or submit information through the Queensland Police online suspicious activity form.
Crime information can also be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.
