A British woman is in pain in a Thailand hospital awaiting an operation after she suffered multiple injuries in a hit and run crash.
Ruby Spry has been off exploring the world after finishing college. The 20-year-old from Penzance was training to become a diving instructor and had just been offered a place to become a divemaster at the University of Costa Rica.
However while travelling some more in Thailand ahead of returning to South America she was involved in a crash on a tiny island and is stuck in hospital with multiple fractures.
Ruby had been riding a motorbike on a small island off Thailand last Wednesday evening (February 9) when another motorbike travelling in the opposite direction went to overtake on the wrong side of the road and ploughed into her.
The other rider didn’t stop, leaving Ruby for dead on the side of the road unconscious with multiple broken bones. Ruby was found by a passerby who got her to hospital.
The Cornishwoman arrived at hospital with a broken bone protruding from her right arm, four broken bones in her hand, a broken wrist, a broken collarbone and multiple lacerations all over her body.
But despite having travel insurance she was refused any pain relief until she paid £3,000 upfront. Her family managed to find the money so she could receive treatment but have now been slapped with a £30,000 hospital fee to pay for her ops because Ruby’s insurance is refusing to cover the costs.
Her cousin Tegan Howard has now set up a JustGiving fundraising campaign to help bring Ruby home. Tegan said the insurance has refused to pay because one bit of small print on Ruby’s policy excludes road traffic collisions and vehicles.
She said: “Ruby has had a seven-hour surgery on her right arm and hand but the insurance company are dragging their heels and the hospital are threatening to throw her out of hospital if she doesn’t pay the expected total of £34,009 before the rest of her treatment.
“She needs another operation on her broken shoulder, but the hospital are refusing treatment until we can pay upfront. The insurance company have been keeping us waiting as they look for loopholes all the while Ruby is lying in hospital in excruciating pain, exhausted with no idea what is happening next.
“Thanks to our amazing family and friends we’ve managed to pull some of the money together, but we’re still going to struggle to reach £40,000 which is what the estimated costs are going to be. My aunt and uncle have just arrived in Thailand to help look after her and will need to bring her home after her shoulder operation. We wanted to bring her home for surgery where it is free but she can’t fly with her injuries.”
While Ruby’s dad Joe, a Penzance builder, has remained behind, his wife, Yesmine, a teacher, has flown out to Thailand with another of Ruby’s uncles to be with her and sort things out. Ruby’s boyfriend is also out there with her.
Tegan added: “The insurance company said they’re not going to pay out so we’re fundraising to try and cover a portion of the costs we need to cover Ruby’s surgery and hospital care. We’re all grateful that Ruby is alive. She’s tough but she’s been moved to another hospital and is in a lot of pain. I think once she’s back everyone in the family will be banned from going to Thailand.”
Ruby’s friend Tara Tobin added: “Ruby could potentially have nerve damage and not be able to use her right hand again properly it’s so so important we get her home so she can get the right care and support she needs.”
To help Ruby come home to Britain where she will receive the care she needs, visit the JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rubyspry
