Latest news with #EllaWeinzettel
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Australian woman left in ICU in Greece after horror quad bike crash
An Australian woman has been left fighting for her life in a hospital bed on the other side of the world, after a dream trip took a tragic turn. 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.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Aussie tourist is left fighting for life after horrific quad bike accident while on dream Mediterranean holiday
A young Aussie woman has been left fighting for her life after a horrifying quad bike accident left her with a traumatic brain injury while holidaying in the Mediterranean. Sydney woman Michelle Bui had been on a quad bike when it ended up in a ditch and pinned her underneath while touring the Greek island of Ios. She had been wearing a helmet at the time of the accident; however, it appeared to have come loose, as her head was unprotected when she was freed. She was rushed in a helicopter to Thriasio Hospital in Athens, where a CT scan revealed bleeding on the brain and a neck fracture. She is now in an intensive care unit with surgeons performing an emergency craniotomy, a procedure where part of the skull is removed to treat a brain bleed or hematoma. Ms Bui's devastated friend Ella Weinzettel has kickstarted a GoFundMe and raised $78,000 so far to help ease the financial burden. 'The hematoma was successfully evacuated and the skull was placed back,' Ms Weinzettel said. '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. Renting a quad bike is a popular way to explore the rugged interior of the island of Ios 'She now has a drain inserted in her brain to drain out any excess bleeding.' Ms Weinzettel said her friend also sustained rib fractures and a hemothorax in the accident. 'She has been deeply sedated and ventilated for the past few days and is in safe hands in the intensive care unit,' she said. 'She has been covered by insurance who we have been in close contact with over the length of her admission however we are not entirely sure if her injuries are covered entirely. 'I cannot begin to imagine the financial burden that it will place on Michelle and her family.'
