Holiday Injury and Insurance Issues
A woman stranded in Thailand following emergency spinal surgery has urged other travelers to carefully review their travel insurance policies after discovering she cannot recover medical expenses totaling at least £21,000.
Jo and Stu Ingram were on a two-week vacation when Jo sustained a spinal injury, breaking her back in three places after falling from a pony during a beach trek—an activity classified as an "extreme sport" and excluded from her insurance coverage.
An online fundraising campaign has been established to assist with ongoing medical and accommodation expenses, as well as their eventual return flight.
"We are desperate to get home so we can be with our loved ones and continue the recovery there,"said Jo, a veterinary receptionist from Belton, near Great Yarmouth in Norfolk.
Accident Details and Immediate Aftermath
The couple was enjoying the penultimate evening of their holiday on 8 March when they chose to ride ponies near their hotel in Krabi, located in south-west Thailand.
Jo recounted that the next moment she remembered was waking up on the sand. Although she managed to stand, she was in "considerable pain" and required ambulance transport to a hospital.
X-rays revealed that Jo's back was fractured in three places, with fragments from a shattered disc pressing against her spinal column.
"We were shocked and so scared,"said Jo, aged 56.
"We were in Thailand, thousands of miles from home in an awful situation, completely on our own."
"It's been indescribable, I've been constantly terrified and scared, and very lonely.
When Jo laid on a hospital bed for 36 hours before her operation, in extreme pain, [paralysis] was something we dared not even talk about; it brings a lump to our throats even now."
Financial Impact and Insurance Denial
The couple had to pay £12,000 upfront to the Thai hospital to commence treatment, funds which they withdrew from their savings.
Upon contacting their insurer, they were informed that horse-riding was not covered under their policy.
"The insurers disregarded our claim on the grounds it was an extreme sport,"said Stu.
"As we plodded along the water's edge on ponies it didn't feel extreme, but it's our fault for not reading the small print."
The total hospital stay lasted two weeks, resulting in a bill of £21,000. Additional costs continue to accrue for Jo's ongoing physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
Jo cannot be cleared to travel on a commercial flight until at least seven weeks after her operation, necessitating the couple to remain in a hotel until at least the end of April.
Support and Recovery
The Ingrams have accepted the insurer's decision and their financial situation but felt they lacked guidance on how to proceed.
"Thankfully everyone at home has been amazing, working around the clock to get the answers we need, and the medical team have been brilliant,"Jo said.
"I have got my mobility and with a walking frame I can get about, but it's going to be months and months before I get back to normal."
Stu's manager at a building contractor in Great Yarmouth established an online fundraising page, which has already raised sufficient funds to cover their initial expenses.
"They have gone above and beyond; I didn't expect the response and care - it's been magnificent,"said Stu.
Jo's employer, a veterinary practice in Caister, has also been very supportive.
"We know we are in a bit of a pickle, but we are so blessed,"said Stu.
Advice for Other Travelers
The couple emphasized the importance of thoroughly reviewing travel insurance policies before engaging in activities during holidays.
"There are so many things that aren't covered - it's a mistake we've made and we've paid dearly for it,"said Jo.
Tom Vaughan from Confused.com advised that travel insurance policies typically include a list of defined "extreme activities."
"You should always assume that if it's not listed, it's not covered,"he said.
"Most have a pretty broad view and generally activities like scuba-diving and bungee-jumping are covered, but it's really important to check on that cover first."
Official Support
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) told the BBC:
"We are supporting a British woman who has been hospitalised in Thailand."
Follow Norfolk news on , Facebook, Instagram and X.
