Aussie expat recovers from Phuket balcony fall

PHUKET: Australian national and long-term Phuket resident Rod Palmer has been released from the intensive care unit (ICU) and is now in a general recovery room at Bangkok Hospital Phuket.

Mr Palmer fell off a balcony at his home in Rawai last week. He sustained three fractured vertebrae, five fractured ribs, a head injury and other cuts and abrasions in the fall.

After being released from the ICU last Thursday, Mr Palmer is now welcome to receive visitors at room 706 at the hospital, said friend Bob Mott of the Ao Chalong Yacht Club (ACYC).

“He is in good spirits looking towards a recovery,” said Mr Mott.

Mr Palmer, a member of the ACYC and the owner of a Crowther 10 catamaran, is well known in the Phuket yachting community. He also regularly joins Hash House Harrier events held across the island.

“However, doctors have informed him that it will be some three or so weeks before he can consider flying back to Australia,” said Mr Mott.

Mr Palmer has a taxi business in his home state of Western Australia.

Mr Mott explained that Mr Palmer fell while leaning over the first-floor balcony so he could break off an “annoying” branch from a tree.

“Rod overbalanced and beat the branch to the ground,” he said.

Mr Palmer is happy to receive visitors, said Mr Mott.

“He is much improved and can watch TV and drag himself up a bit with the overhead grab gadget. His wife Jirra is there with him and his three-year-old daughter Andiana.

“He is getting a good supply of visitors and get-well messages from friends, mainly from the Hash [House Harrier],” he said after visiting Mr Palmer this afternoon.

“In better spirits that’s for sure,” he added.