Weather
Victim of violent robbery describes attackers as 'pure evil'
Key Points
They then dragged him outside into the cold, set his Coles Bay home on fire, and forced him to watch as it burnt to the ground. In a statement provided to the ABC from hospital, Mr Whelan said he was thankful for the community support, including an online fundraiser that has raised about $70,000. "All of the sudden you're laying there looking at the weather chart, next second, you are getting your guts punched out of you and you just don't know where it has all come from," he said.
They then dragged him outside into the cold, set his Coles Bay home on fire, and forced him to watch as it burnt to the ground.
In a statement provided to the ABC from hospital, Mr Whelan said he was thankful for the community support, including an online fundraiser that has raised about $70,000.
"All of the sudden you're laying there looking at the weather chart, next second, you are getting your guts punched out of you and you just don't know where it has all come from,"
he said.
Mr Whelan said he has been dealing with nightmares since the incident on Saturday.
"[I] wake up with flashes of bright lights and people screaming,"
he said.
The men who attacked Mr Whelan have not yet been found.
Detective Inspector David Gill said police continue to search for the offenders and the stolen firearms, which were registered.
"We're renewing our call for anyone with information that may assist our investigations to come forward," Inspector Gill said.
"If you have dashcam or CCTV that may be relevant to our investigations, or information in relation to the stolen firearms or anyone who has obtained or is selling firearms, please come forward."
Mr Whelan's car was also stolen, but was found on Saturday afternoon, submerged in the nearby Apsley River.