Family of Dublin man injured in horrific crash in Thailand appeal for help to pay his medical bills

By Mark O'Brien

 

Alan Penrose (Image: GoFundMe)

 

He sustained serious injuries, including a head trauma

 

The family of a Dublin man who was seriously injured in a road accident in Thailand are appealing to the public for help in funding his medical care.

 

Alan Penrose, 35, from Raheny, suffered suffered multiple injuries in the terrifying crash on Thursday, November 15.

 

Full story: https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/alan-penrose-dublin-gofundme-accident-13635140

 

IRISH Mirror: 2018-11-24

 

 

Mentions a 'scrambler bike.'

Was he on it, hit by it?

Hit by a car when on a bike, helmet, insurance, licence?

9 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

The family of a Dublin man who was seriously injured in a road accident in Thailand are appealing to the public for help in funding his medical care.

It was suggested years ago to charge each tourist one dollar for accident insurance. This year that would be about $30 million bucks. Thailand could cover medical expenses for any tourists seriously injured and still put money in the Thai government's pocket. The slogan might go like this.

 

Our Money says you'll be Safe in Thailand

 

I think the concept might actually work...

That gofundme page is getting a serious workout from tourists who can't be bothered with insurance.

8 minutes ago, overherebc said:

Mentions a 'scrambler bike.'

Was he on it, hit by it?

Hit by a car when on a bike, helmet, insurance, licence?

I think the scrambler bike story was in Ireland mate.

I think you’re on the money regarding the injuries sustained, definitely sounds like he was riding/passenger on a bike 

3 minutes ago, MadMuhammad said:

I think the scrambler bike story was in Ireland mate.

I think you’re on the money regarding the injuries sustained, definitely sounds like he was riding/passenger on a bike 

Rides bikes at home where proper gear is required. Hits the sunshine and no apparent rules on helmets etc, maybe we're adding 2 and 2 and coming up with 5 but it's close enough.

I don't want to be cruel ,and I don't know if this is the case but anyone who rides a MC in Thailand with no safety gear and helmet ...............

,

I'll refrain from further comment????

Edited November 24, 20187 yr by findlay13

Another idiot on the road without insurance. No sympathy here. 

 

 

The GFM page is very well written which is always a good start. I won't comment any further other than to wish the family well.

54 minutes ago, overherebc said:

Mentions a 'scrambler bike.'

Was he on it, hit by it?

Hit by a car when on a bike, helmet, insurance, licence?

That's a completely different story that happened in Darndale, a Dublin suburb.

Edited November 24, 20187 yr by dotpoom

I am really sorry that this guy is hurt ,but if you come here on holiday without insurance your crazy.

Sent from my SM-A720F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

41 minutes ago, missoura said:

It was suggested years ago to charge each tourist one dollar for accident insurance. This year that would be about $30 million bucks. Thailand could cover medical expenses for any tourists seriously injured and still put money in the Thai government's pocket. The slogan might go like this.

 

Our Money says you'll be Safe in Thailand

 

I think the concept might actually work...

No it won't ... If you have 30 million bucks you are going to let it sit around until tourists splatter? Methinks it will get appropriated for many different purposes, including a new Benz, condo for the mia noi, Rolex's, well the list is endless.

59 minutes ago, missoura said:

It was suggested years ago to charge each tourist one dollar for accident insurance. This year that would be about $30 million bucks. Thailand could cover medical expenses for any tourists seriously injured and still put money in the Thai government's pocket. The slogan might go like this.

 

Our Money says you'll be Safe in Thailand

 

I think the concept might actually work...

So those already paying for insurance also have to subsidise the clowns who don't,  or invalidate their insurance by riding around on a motorbike with no license,  no helmut and often drunk as well.  Great idea!  About time some people started taking responsibility for their own lives and actions. 

And why aren’t drivers in thailand don’t have insurance when it is determined they are at fault...

 

tourist accident insurance is important but the other half is the insurance of the other driver which never seems to have....

 

9 minutes ago, RandG said:

So those already paying for insurance also have to subsidise the clowns who don't,  or invalidate their insurance by riding around on a motorbike with no license,  no helmut and often drunk as well.  Great idea!  About time some people started taking responsibility for their own lives and actions. 

Most travel insurance doesn't cover motorbike accidents, even if licensed, wearing a helmet etc anyway.

 

A bit like not telling the insurance company that you're on a skiing holiday (dangerous pursuits), then trying to claim?! (Don't come running to me with a broken leg!!☺️).

 

Maybe I'm a wimp, but I've (almost) always avoided motorbikes in Thailand. If I'm going to be on one I'd rather that I'm the driver, not a Thai who thinks he's/she's Valentino Rossi!!

Edited November 24, 20187 yr by Andrew65

I travel a lot and cannot imagine going without travel insurance. I use BUPA International Travel Insurance and it costs me US$337/year - less than US$1/day. (This is not a recommendation for BUPA, just a reflection of what I use. WorldNomads also has very good plans) I am 69 years old so the premium would most likely be less for someone younger. That cost includes 100% medical coverage (unlimited) and optional non-medical coverage and trip cancellation coverage. Motorcycle accidents are not excluded unless part of an "active participation in any motorsport show, motorsport race or motorsport competition." I have never needed to make a claim and, as with all insurance, I hope I never do but it is a cheap price to pay for peace of mind when traveling. 

 

There is no excuse for traveling without insurance. If you can't afford less than the price of a cup of coffee a day to protect yourself, you probably can't afford to travel.

 

Just my thoughts on it.

 

David

 

1 hour ago, missoura said:

It was suggested years ago to charge each tourist one dollar for accident insurance. This year that would be about $30 million bucks. Thailand could cover medical expenses for any tourists seriously injured and still put money in the Thai government's pocket. The slogan might go like this.

 

Our Money says you'll be Safe in Thailand

 

I think the concept might actually work...

Given the vast amount of money the Thai government and Thai people make out of tourism, surely they can afford to help tourists who have serious accidents and can't fund their own medical bills? It would be the Buddhist thing to do too. One might almost think that the pursuit of profit for its own sake might even be regarded as more important than the principles of decency and religion, but I'm certain that can't be the case. ????

25 minutes ago, dotpoom said:

That's a completely different story that happened in Darndale, a Dublin suburb.

Read the paragraph about wife in Darndale.

Then the next paragraph that says he was rushed to hospital in Phuket.

So he had a bike accident in Ireland and they rushed him to Thailand?? 

Punctuation would be a wonderful thing, wouldn't it?

I'm still sticking to my idea he is a biker who had an accident in Thailand, on a bike, with a bike, and obviousy had no insurance.

So what is the story here ?

Why is the report so vague there's no information ?

Only understandable part of the report is he had no insurance.

So do I need insurance when visiting Thailand ? NO. Go-fund-me should do.

He should have considered the first rule of the WWE: If you enter the cage, be prepared to get hurt...

1 hour ago, balo said:

Another idiot on the road without insurance. No sympathy here. 

 

 

How's your own isurance regarding mc accidents (apart from the compulsory mc insurance, wich covers up to 30K baht)?

7 minutes ago, Pattaya28 said:

So what is the story here ?

Why is the report so vague there's no information ?

Only understandable part of the report is he had no insurance.

So do I need insurance when visiting Thailand ? NO. Go-fund-me should do.

Are these Go-fund-me appeals genuine?  

 

Is there any liability if someone just makes up a story and gets money off strangers for nothing?

 

Also it seems people use them when they want money for some sob story situation, a situation which is usually of their own making, and they want perfect strangers to pay for their mistakes?  Is that right?

 

What a crazy world we live in now where people can't take any responsibility for their actions and depend on total strangers to bail them out. 

 

Say, I did not have enough money to get something I wanted.  Can I just make up a Go-fund-me story... like my kitten needs a brain transplant... and them I will get thousands of dollars for nothing?  

 

 

1 hour ago, missoura said:

It was suggested years ago to charge each tourist one dollar for accident insurance. This year that would be about $30 million bucks. Thailand could cover medical expenses for any tourists seriously injured and still put money in the Thai government's pocket. The slogan might go like this.

 

Our Money says you'll be Safe in Thailand

 

I think the concept might actually work...

It would certainly make the local Mercedes dealer happy !

1 hour ago, overherebc said:

Mentions a 'scrambler bike.'

Was he on it, hit by it?

Hit by a car when on a bike, helmet, insurance, licence?

800.000 THB in the bank?

2 minutes ago, Vacuum said:

How's your own isurance regarding mc accidents

I only drive a car here and always class A insurance. 

 

After 8 years on Thai roads I have only been involved in one minor incident , when i bike hit my right side. But luckily nobody was injured. 

5 minutes ago, jak2002003 said:

Are these Go-fund-me appeals genuine?  

 

Is there any liability if someone just makes up a story and gets money off strangers for nothing?

 

Also it seems people use them when they want money for some sob story situation, a situation which is usually of their own making, and they want perfect strangers to pay for their mistakes?  Is that right?

 

What a crazy world we live in now where people can't take any responsibility for their actions and depend on total strangers to bail them out. 

 

Say, I did not have enough money to get something I wanted.  Can I just make up a Go-fund-me story... like my kitten needs a brain transplant... and them I will get thousands of dollars for nothing?  

 

 

In the UK at least a false claim would be considered fraud , pretty sure a woman was convicted of this quite recently.

47 minutes ago, cardinalblue said:

And why aren’t drivers in thailand don’t have insurance when it is determined they are at fault...

 

tourist accident insurance is important but the other half is the insurance of the other driver which never seems to have....

 

All insurance is null and void if you are riding/driving without a license, helmet, drunk etc.

I think safe to assume the usual riding a bike with no license, no helmet etc, no amount of insurance in the world will cover that.

Sorry the poor man has been seriously injured, but what a plonker.... NO insurance.

Yes as many here know i was involved in a serious accident, which has left me unable to walk, but covered by insurance.

Never asked for money from anybody, and never will.

This go-fund me is just an easy way out for those too lazy, tight -fisted to get insurance.

 

53 minutes ago, Genericnic said:

I travel a lot and cannot imagine going without travel insurance. I use BUPA International Travel Insurance and it costs me US$337/year - less than US$1/day. (This is not a recommendation for BUPA, just a reflection of what I use. WorldNomads also has very good plans) I am 69 years old so the premium would most likely be less for someone younger. That cost includes 100% medical coverage (unlimited) and optional non-medical coverage and trip cancellation coverage. Motorcycle accidents are not excluded unless part of an "active participation in any motorsport show, motorsport race or motorsport competition." I have never needed to make a claim and, as with all insurance, I hope I never do but it is a cheap price to pay for peace of mind when traveling. 

 

There is no excuse for traveling without insurance. If you can't afford less than the price of a cup of coffee a day to protect yourself, you probably can't afford to travel.

 

Just my thoughts on it.

 

David

 

Travel insurance is a moot point as it doesnt cover you for riding a bike without a license etc. Most of these stories that appear on Thaivisa , the people have insurance but void it by riding without a license, helmet or drunk etc.

Edited November 24, 20187 yr by Peterw42

30k euros is not a huge amount for a family to raise together, remortgage or borrow or whatever.

If friends want to contribute then up to them but i certainly don't feel the urge to pay for someone else to upgrade from government hospital to a private one and who either didn't bother with insurance or was careless enough to make it void.

I wish him the best in his recovery though

Edited November 24, 20187 yr by MARK74
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