27 August 2023 , 20:06
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A young woman given an ibuprofen drug after breaking her back following a tuk-tuk crash on holiday has been left with a £30,000 medical bill.
Amie Coltman, 24, suffered the devastating injury after she and other tourists were flung from the vehicle when it hit a pothole in Nicaragua. The university student, who had been volunteering with an animal conservation group abroad, says she was only given painkillers by a local doctor despite breaking her back in two places.
The medical centre was not equipped with an MRI machine or a CT scan, Amie's family says. An X-ray showed the fractures and, according to Amie's family, medics said surgery was essential but would cost £15,000, and she'd be charged £1,000 for each night she remained at the hospital, as well as payments for the surgery equipment and four weeks of physiotherapy.
The insurance company, which Independent has not named, refused to pay out, the publication claims. In order to cover the charges, Amie's relatives have created a GoFundMe page, which has already raised more than £20,000 since August 21.
Amie's sister Zoe said her sibling had been volunteering in Costa Rica for seven weeks and, At the conclusion of the course, she travelled with an organised guided group down to Nicaragua. The accident happened after the pick-up style vehicle, common mode of transport in the country, left to take them back to the animal conservation centre.
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“They were in the taxi which hit a pothole at some speed so everyone went flying out of the back. One of Amie’s friends landed on top of her which crushed part of her spine and left her in a lot of pain and shock," Zoe told Independent today.
She also claims a doctor at the local clinic informed Amie she was "absolutely fine" and provided her with only ibuprofen and paracetamol before she was discharged despite undergoing an X-ray. Her condition worsened overnight and the tour guide company decided to transport her to Clinica Biblica in Costa Rica, where a second X-ray eventually showed the breaks in her back.
Zoe, who lives in Manchester, added: "The insurance company rang the hospital straight away and said we’re having nothing to do with this. They said that the car wasn’t safe as it had no seatbelts...When that’s the only mode of transport available, you just don’t think that you’re not going to be covered."
The money was paid upfront so Amie, who lives in Nottingham, could undergo the surgery and receive subsequent care. Her family had to turn to friends and relatives to help cough up the cash. The operation saw two metal rods placed in the student's back to support her spine. Her father has joined her in Costa Rica.
Writing on her own Facebook page on August 22 after the operation, Amie posted: "I really cannot express how emotional I feel right now. The love and support that everyone has given me, whether a message, donating or even sharing what’s going on. You are all keeping me so positive.
"I never thought I would be in a situation like this, no one does. But I must say I am one lucky girl to have such amazing friends, family and even people I am not close to, that are making this process that much easier." To donate to the appeal, visit this link.