British woman ‘may never walk again’ after fall from resort balcony in Thailand

[webfact]

Maddi Neale-Shankster has been left hospitalised after falling from a balcony on the Thai island of Ko Pha-Ngan (Picture: Karen Moseley-Neale/The Venue)

 

by Josh Layton

A beautician has been told that she may never walk again as she remains in a Thai hospital following a fall from a resort balcony on what was supposed to be a dream holiday.  

 

Maddi Neale-Shankster, 21, has been left with fractures in her spine and needing drains to remove blood and fluid from her chest after the accident on the party island of Ko Pha-Ngan. 

 

Her mum, Karen Moseley-Neale, flew to Thailand on Sunday to be by her daughter’s side as they wait to see if surgeons will operate on her back once her chest is clear.  

 

Maddi, from Coventry, had been in Thailand on a three-week trip with her partner, and had seen in new year on the island, which is famous for its full moon parties.  

 

Full story: https://metro.co.uk/2023/01/02/beautician-may-never-walk-again-after-fall-from-balcony-in-thailand-18028900/

 

-- © Copyright METRO 2022-01-05

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[webfact]

Beautician ‘may never walk again’ after fall from resort balcony in Thailand

 

The Brit beautician “may never walk again” after a horror fall from a balcony (Image: Karen Moseley-Neale/The Venue/Facebook)

The mother of Maddi Neale-Shankster has questioned the condition of the accommodation in Ko Pha-Ngan, Thailand, where the 21-year-old from Coventry, West Midlands, was staying

 

A young Brit enjoying the holiday of a lifetime has been told she made never be able to walk again after a horror fall from a balcony during a holiday in Thailand.

 

The beautician from Coventry, West Midlands, has been left with spinal fractures and blood and fluid on her chest as she faces a battle to ever walk again.

 

Full story: https://planetnewspost.com/u-k-news/brit-told-she-may-never-be-able-to-walk-again-after-horror-holiday-fall-from-balcony-world-news/

 

-- © Copyright PLANET 2022-01-05

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

[ukrules]

I'd like to know the height of the balcony in question.....before they replace it

[nglodnig]

Sad.

[VinnieK]

People from northern climes need special training on how to behave on a balcony.

I'm serious.

You never read..'Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Greek, Turkish' etc when it comes to balcony falls.

Because we don't do stupid things in a balcony.

We also tend not to consume 175 beers in a single occasion ..

#DagoSupremacy

[JustThisOnePostOnly]

28 minutes ago, VinnieK said:

We also tend not to consume 175 beers in a single occasion

You say that like it's a good thing.

[ThailandRyan]

Rail height here is an issue. Wonder how she toppled over, was she taking a photo, leaning back, sitting on the rail or ?

[metisdead]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Beautician ‘may never walk again’ after fall from resort balcony in Thailand

 

The Brit beautician “may never walk again” after a horror fall from a balcony (Image: Karen Moseley-Neale/The Venue/Facebook)

The mother of Maddi Neale-Shankster has questioned the condition of the accommodation in Ko Pha-Ngan, Thailand, where the 21-year-old from Coventry, West Midlands, was staying

 

A young Brit enjoying the holiday of a lifetime has been told she made never be able to walk again after a horror fall from a balcony during a holiday in Thailand.

 

The beautician from Coventry, West Midlands, has been left with spinal fractures and blood and fluid on her chest as she faces a battle to ever walk again.

 

Full story: https://planetnewspost.com/u-k-news/brit-told-she-may-never-be-able-to-walk-again-after-horror-holiday-fall-from-balcony-world-news/

 

-- © Copyright PLANET 2022-01-05

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

 

From the linked article:

 

Speaking to The Metro, she questioned the safety levels of the accommodation where her daughter was staying.

Photos showed how the balcony of the property was secured only by a low wooden bannister rail.

[Don Chance]

18 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Rail height here is an issue. Wonder how she toppled over, was she taking a photo, leaning back, sitting on the rail or ?

Western people take it for granted that things in Thailand are the same as in their country.

[save the frogs]

30 minutes ago, JustThisOnePostOnly said:

You say that like it's a good thing.

So people dying due to drinking is a good thing?

Don't blame the balcony. Blame the alcohol first and the balcony second. 

 

[KhunLA]

Never the person's fault.  Unless the balcony pushed her off ... simply using some common sense when near the edge of any height, would save many from accidents.  Standing at the 'edge of danger' simply doesn't enter dome folks mind.

 

Hopefully as speedy, full recovery.

[BananaStrong]

Every falang should really sign a disclaimer before entering...

 

I acknowledge...... nah, let's stick with baby words.

 

Thailand is dangerous.  I might die.  I might get hurt.  Many bad things can happen and I know.  Not same same like back home.   I understand.

 

sign your name, then off to some "resort".   

 

I'm actually I'm amazed I'm still alive after almost 9 years.     

[hotandsticky]

1 minute ago, BananaStrong said:

 

 

I'm actually I'm amazed I'm still alive after almost 9 years.     

 

I'm actually amazed that it took you almost all of those 9 years to discover ASEAN NOW forum...........or did it?

[robblok]

Im sure she has travel insurance. (dont see any go fund me stuff yet)

 

Then the comparison in the UK they would never get away with this.

 

Face it its nott he UK that is why you travel to broaden your horizon. If you want safety stay in the UK or EU. 

 

I am not really innocent either made my mistake too. First time Thailand went to a bungee catapult at night.. was fun but when i saw the thing by daylight it shocked me. Lesson learned (without dying or accident) Thailand is not safety conscious.

 

Maybe some TV shows should warn people about the dangers of other countries. I mean the UK, EU and US are all safe or they get lawsuits. So we are used to it. Maybe time to put in some advertisements showing that safety is not always good in other countries.

[Gottfrid]

2 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Rail height here is an issue. Wonder how she toppled over, was she taking a photo, leaning back, sitting on the rail or ?

No, no, no! Rail height is not an issue. That´s why God gave us eyes. Also, if the rail is too low, he also added common sense to accompany the use of your eyes.

[smedly]

2 hours ago, VinnieK said:

Because we don't do stupid things in a balcony

or say stupid things on Thai forum

[Elkski]

If there isn't a rail height standard in Thailand there should be.  In civilized countries the height and also the max spacing between the vertical stiles is controlled.  Those arguing that Asians are so much shorter are way offbase as these accidents are happening at hotels that are used by western people.  Plus the rail height at some places in Thailand are well below the fulcrum of the average Asian.  Some are ready to fall apart of leaned on.  There is no reason to fix most things here or even care.  Just recall the 19 year old Russian who was electrocuted playing bball in Thailand.  They really do need to pass out a travel guide to all tourist's. 

Don't trust the zebra crossings or that any car will ever yield to a pedestrian. 

Always approach and check balcony railings carefully.  

Edited January 5, 2023 by Rimmer
Inflammatory removed

[Seismic]

2 hours ago, Don Chance said:

Western people take it for granted that things in Thailand are the same as in their country.

After 40 years here I can safely say I do not know a single person who believes things are the same in their own country. It is one of the main reasons that people come here. 

[idannyb]

Rail height is absolutely an issue in Thailand. I'm 6' 4" (193+ cm) and many a time I've been near to railings in Thai hotels/resorts that are far too low to pass international safety standards. It is way too easy to topple over railings here as being over 190 cm is in Thailand is treated as a rarity and not give due consideration in construction. Yes, everyone needs to be self-responsible and recognize the inherent dangers. And being elderly or in any altered condition (drugs, alcohol, illness, etc) heightens (pun yes) the danger.  But as many will no doubt say... those risks 'come with the territory.' Same thing (magnified risks) applies to driving and road conditions/design in Thailand. I don't like it one bit. But in a society that's not litigious and w lax enforcement of existing safety rules + cost cutting, serious 'accidents' will be allowed to continue. 

[giddyup]

I'm 6'3" and always very wary of condo balconies, not only the height but also the strength of them.

[petermik]

32 minutes ago, Elkski said:

If there isn't a rail height standard in Thailand there should be.  In civilized countries the height and also the max spacing between the vertical stiles is controlled. 

WE are in Thailand where western and civilized thoughts are not considered.....

[steven100]

so although the wooden balcony railing does appear lower that usual balastrading,  it is not the issue .... as one would have to be skylarking to fall over it.  imo

There is never a mention of what the person is doing to cause them to fall. 

[Grusa]

12 minutes ago, steven100 said:

so although the wooden balcony railing does appear lower that usual balastrading,  it is not the issue .... as one would have to be skylarking to fall over it.  imo

There is never a mention of what the person is doing to cause them to fall. 

The "wooden balcony railing" looks to be a rustic wood finish piece of concrete artwork, very pretty (not)! and completely useless.

[Robin]

Accidents are caused by combinations of events;

e.g.  low balcony rail height; taller than Thai visitor;  visitor not takin care due to alcohol/ drugs/ general high spirits on NYE.

Remove one possible cause and the accident does not happen;-  make railing higher, behave more responsibly,= no accident.

That is what Safety Regulations are all about, but here in Thailand, nobody wants to think that bad things might happen, so minimal safety regulations, (boring, expensive..).  The onus is on the visitor to take care, but if they are not pre-warned, or assume that the 'nanny state' has put rules in place, and enforces them, then accidents happen.

Thailand is too concerned with its 'image' to post any warnings; no resort is going to admit to any possible safety failings, and ommon snense is ofen left at home when on holiday..  There are no easy answers.

[khunPer]

It's unfortunately not the first time somebody falls out from a balcony due to a low railing in Thailand, which might be as low as 50-60 centimeters instead of 80-90 centimeters that suits most Westerners. Architects today recommend to make one meter high railings on balconies used by Westerners.

[PJ71]

8 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Wonder how she toppled over, was she taking a photo, leaning back, sitting on the rail or ?

What difference does it make?

[Myran]

Very tragic, and many balcony railings are way too low in Thailand. That being said, you have to take personal responsibility as well and not expose yourself to unnecessary risks.

[Elkski]

3 hours ago, khunPer said:

It's unfortunately not the first time somebody falls out from a balcony due to a low railing in Thailand, which might be as low as 50-60 centimeters instead of 80-90 centimeters that suits most Westerners. Architects today recommend to make one meter high railings on balconies used by Westerners.

Actually the code in some areas is higher than 1 meter.  42" for commercial buildings. 36" minimum in the USA which will hit 80% of people above center.  

Any update on her condition.  Hope she is improving better than expected

Edited January 5, 2023 by Elkski

[KannikaP]

9 hours ago, JustThisOnePostOnly said:

You say that like it's a good thing.

I think you should realise that Vinnie was using 175 beers simply to mean 'a lot of booze'

[richard_smith237]

10 hours ago, VinnieK said:

People from northern climes need special training on how to behave on a balcony.

I'm serious.

You never read..'Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Greek, Turkish' etc when it comes to balcony falls.

Because we don't do stupid things in a balcony.

We also tend not to consume 175 beers in a single occasion ..

#DagoSupremacy

Perhaps its proportionate to visitors origin. 

 

More Brits visit Thailand than Spanish, Portuguese etc... so more of them will find their way into the news for any reason... be it falls, misbehaviour, motorcycle or car accidents etc... 

 

Thus, while the headline may suit your bias... when digging a little deeper the statistical prevalence may not highlight any key patterns amongst one nation over any other.

 

This is where other forum members trip up (i.e. Gottfrid) when clinging on to any news article which mentions a Brit...   That there a more Brits visitors in Thailand than any other nationality other than Chinese means they will be in the news more often....  As are the Chinese.