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A fundraising campaign has been launched after an Irish woman suffered serious spinal injuries during a boat trip in Thailand. Family and friends say she will require extended medical care abroad and face significant practical and financial challenges before she can return home to Tipperary.
What happened on the trip
Abigail “Abbie” Fleming, a beautician from Tipperary, was on holiday with her boyfriend, Andrew, when the incident occurred the day before they were due to fly home. Abbie sustained multiple fractures to her spine, with reports confirming she broke four vertebrae.
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She underwent emergency spinal fixation and spinal fusion surgery in Thailand. In a post on her salon page, Abbie said she will remain in hospital there for the foreseeable future while she recovers.
Writing on her salon account, Abbie explained she had been due to return to Ireland and to be back at work on Tuesday. She added: “I was due back home in Ireland today after our trip away and back to work Tuesday. Unfortunately, I had a bad accident yesterday morning while on a boat trip in Thailand and I broke four vertebrae in my back. I have now had emergency surgery and will unfortunately have to remain in Thailand in hospital for the foreseeable future while I recover.”
Family launches fundraiser
The GoFundMe page was created by Abbie’s cousin, travel influencer Dev Skehan, who said the campaign aims to help cover medical and other unexpected costs while she remains abroad. The fundraiser notes the distance between Thailand and Ireland is creating “many unexpected challenges, both physically and financially” for the couple and their families.
In a video message, Dev described the uncertainty around how long Abbie’s boyfriend can stay and the family’s concern about leaving her alone. He said: “[Abbie] is young, and out there with her boyfriend; we don’t know how long he can stay with her, and we don’t want her to be on her own.” He added that she cannot travel yet because of the severity of her injuries and the scale of the surgery.
Business paused and recovery outlook
Abbie has closed her salon, Abigails_Beauty_Studio, until further notice. She told followers she has not been given a timeline for returning home and thanked people for their messages of support. “At the moment, nobody can give me a timeline on when I will be able to return home,” she said. “I really appreciate everyone’s patience, understanding and kind messages during this awful time.”
Anyone who wishes to support the family can donate to the campaign set up on GoFundMe by her cousin. The fundraiser is intended to help cover ongoing medical care and the costs associated with an extended stay overseas.
