Thread: Aussie woman could lose leg after Thai scooter crash

Aussie tourist Stacey Liddle’s leg ‘not to be amputated’, say Phuket doctors

PHUKET: Doctors at Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town have dismissed reports that they may have to amputate Australian tourist Stacey Liddle’s left leg, which was crushed by a bus after a collision near Chalong Circle last Thursday (Oct 26).

Tanyaluk Sakoot
Friday 3 November 2017, 05:08PM

Ms Liddle, from Brisbane, was riding a rental motorbike when the bike she was riding and a passing tour bus collided. She was knocked to the road and the bus’ back wheels ran over her leg.

Ms Liddle was in Phuket on holiday to celebrate her 30th birthday.



Dr Kritsada Chairattanaphitak, Vachira Hospital’s Medical Specialist in Hand and Microsurgery, told The Phuket News today (Nov 3), “We have performed several operations on Ms Liddle’s leg as it suffered multiple fractures and severe damage in the accident.

“There is no need to consider amputation unless there is an infection or complication – and at this stage there is neither. The nerves are still there and currently there is no infection,” he added.

“Her leg is still recovering, it is getting better,” Dr Kritsada assured.

FUNDRAISING

Following the accident, an appeal for donations to help pay for Ms Liddle’s medical bills was launched on GoFundMe.com as her travel insurance company had refused to cover medical expenses as Ms Liddle’s policy did not cover injury through accidents while riding a motorbike.

In short, Ms Liddle was not licensed to ride a motorbike in Thailand.

There has been some confusion of how much funds were being sought to have Ms Liddle flown home “so they don’t amputate her leg”.

News.com.au initially reported the amount sought as $15,000, while the GoFundMe post itself continues to ask for $30,000 while the “goal” set for the campaign remains at $35,000 (B890,149).

Donations by 77 people saw $3,466 (B88,132) raised in the campaign’s first three days. However, after intensive media coverage of Ms Liddle’s plight, donations surged to $20,925 as of yesterday afternoon – little more than 48 hours later.



Meanwhile, Chalong Police have yet to attribute any blame for the accident, which may introduce compensation paid out under the insurance of the driver deemed at fault.

Maj Kanan Somrak of Chalong Police Investigation Division told The Phuket News today, “We have yet to press any charges as we are still investigating the accident.”

MALFEASANCE

However, media coverage in Australia and even by local news outlets in Phuket have not questioned the accusations publicly posted in the appeal on GoFundMe, which accuses hospital staff of hitting Ms Liddle and the Australian Embassy and Consulate staff of failing to provide assistance.

“She is being hit and mistreated in the Thailand hospital, we have been in contact with both the Australian and Thailand governments (counsulate) they will not do anything to help…,” claims the appeal.

Nurse Methavee Maneesri, Head of the International Department at Vachira Hospital, which is the leading government hospital on the island, told The Phuket News today that the hospital was unaware of the claims.

“We didn’t know about it,” she said, and declined to comment further on the matter.

However, Nurse Methavee did confirm that the hospital received B30,000 paid out under the statutory government motorbike insurance coverage.



SUPPORT

Meanwhile, The Phuket News has independently confirmed that local Australian consular officials are providing assistance to Ms Liddle – just not the extent of assistance that is being sought on her behalf.

A spokesperson for Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed, “The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to an Australian woman injured in Thailand. For privacy reasons we are unable to provide further details.”

DFAT notes that consular assistance may include liaison with or visits to local hospitals, liaison with local authorities, provision of lists of medical providers and assistance communicating with family members or nominated contacts.

“Consular staff cannot provide medical services or medications, pay for medical costs or query treatment regimens on behalf of Australians overseas. Smartraveller [the Australian Government travel advisory service, outlines what to do if someone is unwell overseas,” the agency said.

The Australian Government has campaigned for years for Australian tourists visiting Phuket and anywhere else in Thailand to beware the country’s notorious road safety record, often reported as recognised by the United Nations as the “second-worst in the world”.

“Travel insurance, or medical insurance, is absolutely essential,” noted Craig Ferguson in a special report introducing him as Australia’s first Consul-General in Phuket with jurisdiction throughout the provinces of Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga.

“The Australian government won’t pay for medical costs overseas and I have seen cases where families have had to sell assets such as houses in order to pay for high-cost medical treatment and repatriations,” he said.

ALL TOO COMMON

Ms Liddle’s dire predicament follows Australian tourist Dawn Weldon, 53-year-old nurse from Valla, New South Wales, suffering a brain injury, a fractured skull and 15 separate broken bones when she collided head-on with a truck while riding a moped with her 14-year-old son in Koh Lanta District in Krabi, across Phang Nga Bay from Phuket, on Jan 15 this year.

Ms Dawson’s family noted that Krabi Hospital, which like Vachira is also a government hospital, would not discharge her to receive much-needed treatment in Australia, until a mounting medical bill was paid.

Read more at https://www.thephuketnews.com/aussie...lfjB58KZy4F.99

Originally Posted by hick

Please don't question Wilson's dream of becoming an inept journalist.

Like Johnathan Head

Originally Posted by stroller

Yes, I did read the article I quoted from.

Including this:
"However, media coverage in Australia and even by local news outlets in Phuket have not questioned the accusations publicly posted in the appeal on GoFundMe, which accuses hospital staff of hitting Ms Liddle and the Australian Embassy and Consulate staff of failing to provide assistance."

What a bunch of 'entitled' scumbags.

And of course it wasn't her own stupid fault, it seems that those so quick to donate failed to read the full story. Wouldn't surprise me if she was advised to sue the TAT for negligence.

It's funny how everyone will sue for anything at the slightest oppourtunity



Unless of course it was mainly Aussie blokes who donated, finding her sexually attractive. In farang terms, she's normal sized

Originally Posted by stroller

Which would explain why the evil, deceitful insurance won't cover the accident.

Well they are evil. They do try and hide things.

One one policy I had, (I read the small print BTW) I wasn't covered because I had a Thai drivers licence riding a bike.The licence had to come from NZ. I can't work that one out.... except another way not to pay claims.All in the small print.....

Also, most people don't realise, that if you have had 3-4 beers and you slip on a banana skin, or you sprain your ankle in the dark....guess what, you are not covered.