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Tourist faces £21k bill after Thailand beach pony ride
26 Mar
Summary
- British tourist broke her back in three places during a beach pony ride.
- Insurer denied claim, calling the ride an 'extreme sport'.
- Tourist faces £21,000 medical bill and cannot fly home for weeks.
A British tourist, Jo Ingram, 56, is confronting a £21,000 medical bill after sustaining three spinal fractures during a beach pony ride in Krabi, Thailand. The incident occurred near the end of her two-week holiday. Emergency surgery was performed due to spinal injuries, with the couple initially paying £12,000 from their savings.
Her travel insurance provider denied the claim, deeming the pony ride an 'extreme sport' not covered by her policy. This leaves Jo and her husband Stu responsible for the full medical costs and ongoing recovery expenses. They are currently unable to return home as doctors advise against flying for at least seven weeks.
An online fundraiser has been initiated to help manage the accumulating medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and extended accommodation expenses. The Foreign Office confirmed its support for the British national during her hospitalization abroad. This incident serves as a cautionary tale for travelers regarding thorough policy checks for activity exclusions.
