A holidaymaker faces a $15,000 medical bill after breaking her leg in three places and sustaining severe head injuries in a moped collision with a bus.
Victorian tourist Bridget Harvey was riding on Magnetic Island, near Townsville in north Queensland, last month when she lost control on a winding uphill road.
“I lost control around a turn and had a head-on collision with an oncoming bus,” she explained in a GoFundMe appeal.
“I was knocked unconscious and seriously injured.”
The collision on June 7 twisted and snapped her left leg in three places, requiring a rod and large screws to be inserted at a hospital 2,500 km away from her home.
The 33-year-old also suffered a concussion, broken elbow, and fractures to her eye socket, nasal cavity, and the base of her skull.
“I was lucky that two doctors from the hospital were on the bus I crashed into and could assist immediately,” she said.
Her injuries were so severe that she had to be airlifted to Townsville University Hospital during her holiday with her boyfriend, Anthony Main.
Last month, Bridget Harvey was riding on Magnetic Island near Townsville when she lost control on a winding uphill road.
Ms. Harvey, who lives in Ballarat, northwest of Melbourne, is not covered by the Transport Accident Commission as it only provides financial support for accidents occurring in her home state of Victoria.
“There is going to be a lot of out-of-pocket expenses and loss of income,” she said.
As a counselor and art therapist on contract at a perinatal and parenting center, she also has no paid leave, making life particularly tough as she faces months of rehabilitation to recover from broken bones and a brain injury.
“I expect to dip significantly into my savings to navigate this, but I’ve been fortunate to have had good work lately to help me survive a setback like this,” she said.
Her GoFundMe campaign has raised $4,170 since its launch on June 13, with Ms. Harvey hoping to raise $7,000 to alleviate the financial pressure on her family and boyfriend.
Her injuries were so severe that she had to be airlifted to Townsville University Hospital during her holiday with her boyfriend, Anthony Main.
The funds raised will go towards rehabilitation, crutches, accommodation, transportation back to Victoria, and medical bills.
“Thank you so much again for all of the love and support. It is helping me excel in my physio and therapies, stay positive about recovering, and I appreciate you all so very much,” she said.
