A young Irish backpacker had her scalp ripped off last Saturday in a horrific accident while working at a fruit packing plant in Shepparton, Australia.

TheAge.com reports that Annie Dunne, from Tipperary, had been working at the plant when her hair became tangled in a conveyor belt, pulling off her scalp.

She was taken to a local hospital in critical condition and was later airlifted to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. 

A hospital spokesman said on Friday that Dunne’s condition is now stable.

The young backpacker reportedly had been trying to fulfill the requirements of rural employment in order to secure a second-year on her working holiday visa.

Dunne’s parents have flown out to Australia to be with her.

"Everyone was shocked to hear the news and we're all hoping that their daughter makes a quick recovery,” said a family friend.

A crowdfunding campaign has raised more than $30,000 AUD to help her family stay in Australia while she is recovering and to help cover her medical expenses.

Australia remains a popular choice for young Irish people wishing to work abroad. As of June 2014 there were 9,392 Irish in Australia on working holiday visas, making Ireland the seventh most highly represented country there on the visa.