Australian woman left in ICU in Greece after horror quad bike crash
Sydneysider Michelle Bui was on holiday in Greece when she decided to take a tour of the idyllic island of Ios on board a quad bike.
But the vehicle ended up in a ditch after a misinterpreted turn and pinned Ms Bui underneath.
Despite wearing a helmet, the safety device came loose meaning her head was unprotected in the fall.
Taken by helicopter from the island to the Thriasio Hospital in Athens, a CT scan revealed the tourist had bleeding on the brain and a neck fracture.
To save her life, Ms Bui's devastated friend Ella Weinzettel — who started a GoFundMe page to support Ms Bui — said she required emergency craniotomy, which meant part of her skull was removed to treat the brain.
Ms Weinzettel hopes her GoFundMe — which has already raised more than $80,000 — will help to pay for Ms Bui's medical bills and transportation home, with the surgery appearing to be a success.
'The haematoma was successfully evacuated and the skull was placed back,' Ms Weinzettel wrote on the page.
'This is a good sign as it tells us that she does not need to have her skull to be removed for a period of time to decompress any additional pressure in her brain.
'She now has a drain inserted in her brain to drain out any excess bleeding. She has sustained rib fractures and a haemothorax, however these injuries do not need an operative intervention and instead will be for conservative management.'
Ms Weinzettel said her friend, who she has known since 2019, also sustained 'small cervical fractures in her upper spine' and while these do not need intervention, Ms Bui will be required to wear an aspen collar for a number of weeks.
'She has been deeply sedated and ventilated for the past few days and is in safe hands in the intensive care unit,' Ms Weinzettel added.
Ms Weinzettel while her friend has been covered by travel insurance, it is unclear if the injuries will be covered entirely.
'I cannot begin to imagine the financial burden that it will place on Michelle and her family,' Ms Weinzettel, pleading with the public to dig deep and assist in 'relieving this financial burden and to bring our beautiful girl home.'
Generally speaking, a standard travel insurance policy don't automatically cover quad biking, with most insurance provider's requiring the purchase of an add-on or adventure pack that specifically covers quad biking or other adventure activities.
But travellers should be weary — because even then, there may be restrictions in place, meaning it's crucial for the policy holder to carefully review the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and understand the specific terms, conditions, and exclusions related to quad biking.
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