3 million baht raised for British woman who fell from balcony in Thailand

A GoFundMe appeal raised nearly 3 million baht (£73,500) to cover the medical costs of a 21 year old British woman who sustained serious injuries after falling from a low balcony in Koh Pha Ngan in southern Thailand on New Year’s Eve.

Maddi Neale-Shankster, a beauty therapist from Coventry in England, suffered a broken back, two collapsed lungs, and her ribs pierced into her liver, her mother Karen Moseley-Neale told reporters.

The 3 million baht will cover Maddi’s medical costs and her journey back home accompanied by a specialist team of medical assistants, said Karen. Over 1,400 generous people donated to the fundraiser.

Maddi flew to Thailand with her partner for a three-week dream holiday. But after ringing in the new year on the party island, things took a turn for the worse.

After returning to her hotel, Maddi’s partner was already asleep when Maddi fell from a balcony her mother described as “outrageous”…

“The pictures we have of the balcony where she fell are outrageous, you would never get away with that in the UK.”

Maddi’s partner woke up to the sound of her screaming from outside. The beautician was treated at Koh Pha Ngan Hospital before being transferred three hours by boat to the mainland where she was treated at Surat Thani Hospital.

To make matters worse, Maddi was also pickpocketed on the same night, her mother said.

Karen and Maddi’s father Jamie Shankster flew to Thailand to be with their daughter after doctors said there was a chance she would never walk again.

However, Maddi’s condition has improved significantly after surgery on her broken back.

“She’s really well in herself, she’s sitting up, and she’s certainly found her sense of humour. She’s actually lucky to be here only for the grace of God and the surgeons,” Karen told the BBC.

Karen urged travellers to take out insurance when travelling abroad and to thoroughly check the details.

Maddi took out insurance, but it covered 10,000 baht (£247), not £10,000 as Maddi thought, said Karen.

Maddi’s mother Karen thanked all the donors for their generosity and support.