Tragic scooter crash in Thailand leaves Queensland dad in coma

[snoop1130]

 

A Queensland father’s life hangs in the balance after a scooter accident in Thailand left him in a coma, paralyzed, and burdened with astronomical medical expenses.

 

The ordeal sparked a desperate plea for help as his family grapples with the overwhelming financial strain.

 

Brenton Simmons faces a harrowing battle for survival after a fateful scooter ride in Thailand resulted in a catastrophic collision with a concrete barrier. The aftermath left the 28 year old Australian with severe brain damage and paralysis on one side of his body while his partner miraculously emerged unscathed, having worn a helmet during the heart-stopping crash.

 

Amid the unimaginable ordeal, Simmons’ family has rallied support through a poignant GoFundMe campaign, revealing the extent of his injuries with more than half of his brain injured, along with seven broken ribs, a broken collar bone, and a damaged eye socket.

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Caption: Photo courtesy of 7NEWS

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-09

 

- 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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[OneMoreFarang]

I think I remember Thailand wanted to make sure every tourist has a health insurance.

What happened to that project?

I think everybody who thinks for a minute should make sure they have a valid health insurance before they travel.

And if for whatever reason they don't have an insurance then maybe it's a good idea to be careful.

 

"catastrophic collision with a concrete barrier" sounds to me like nobody else was involved.

 

Sad

[simon43]

The report sounds like his GF had a crash helmet and he didn't.....

 

The report seems to indicate that he had totally-inadequate medical insurance .......

 

Sadly, this is a real-world example of Darwinism.....

Edited February 9 by simon43

[Ralf001]

Sucks to be him !

 

[NoDisplayName]

Apparently he had insurance, totally adequate insurance.  He simply chose to ignore the contract.

 

Quote

Travellers are urged to heed the cautionary criteria stipulated by travel insurance providers, including possessing a valid Australian motorbike licence (for rides exceeding 50CC), adhering to helmet regulations, abstaining from alcohol influence, and obtaining essential documentation such as an International Driving Permit to safeguard against potential coverage exclusions.

 

his partner miraculously emerged unscathed, having worn a helmet during the heart-stopping crash.

 

 

 

Edited February 9 by NoDisplayName

[stoner]

14 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

including possessing a valid Australian motorbike licence (for rides exceeding 50CC), adhering to helmet regulations,

 

cue the insurance always find a way not to pay crowd. 

[bokningar]

3 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

cue the insurance always find a way not to pay crowd. 

If you drive without proper drivers license and without a helmet. Why would you expect to get money from your insurance?

 

[stoner]

1 minute ago, bokningar said:

If you drive without proper drivers license and without a helmet. Why would you expect to get money from your insurance?

 

 

ahhhh 

[uttradit]

The storyline says "dad" to get sympathy but got nothing to do with not wearing a helmet and lacking riding skills. Use rideshare, hire a car. Really not hard to make smart decisions.

[lordgrinz]

Driving a motorcycle in Thailand, without a helmet, and without proper insurance, maybe not even a valid motorcycle license. I can't even fathom why anyone would come here and even take a chance riding a motorcycle, knowing full-well that this is a seriously dangerous place to drive anything, let alone a motorbike without a helmet.

[it is what it is]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I think I remember Thailand wanted to make sure every tourist has a health insurance.

What happened to that project?

I think everybody who thinks for a minute should make sure they have a valid health insurance before they travel.

And if for whatever reason they don't have an insurance then maybe it's a good idea to be careful.

 

"catastrophic collision with a concrete barrier" sounds to me like nobody else was involved.

 

Sad

 

unfortunately, it is unlikely that such health insurance would include hazardous activities such as motorcycling. such activities would have to be added, and paid for and it would not be cheap, i suggest most people would take the risk rather than part with the cash.  also, justifiably, claims would not be paid if appropriate protective equipment was not worn.

 

this is a tragic and avoidable accident. mandatory health insurance is not the answer.

[daveAustin]

As usual topics like this are filled with unempathetic rubbishy comments (likely mostly from the boomer crowd) from folk who think they have never put a foot wrong and live perfect lives. Good chance family is reading this!

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, it is what it is said:

unfortunately, it is unlikely that such health insurance would include hazardous activities such as motorcycling.

Health insurance would normally cover medical costs as a result of those circumstances, travel insurance would not, they are two completely different types of policy.

[Liverpool Lou]

29 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

As usual topics like this are filled with unempathetic rubbishy comments (likely mostly from the boomer crowd) from folk who think they have never put a foot wrong and live perfect lives. Good chance family is reading this!

"Good chance family is reading this!".

As they are begging for $280,000 from complete strangers as a result of his foolishness, they'll just have to put up with the opinions of complete strangers.

[uttradit]

1 hour ago, daveAustin said:

As usual topics like this are filled with unempathetic rubbishy comments (likely mostly from the boomer crowd) from folk who think they have never put a foot wrong and live perfect lives. Good chance family is reading this!

What do you want people to say? This happens weekly in Thailand.

[Swiss1960]

9 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I think I remember Thailand wanted to make sure every tourist has a health insurance.

What happened to that project?

I think everybody who thinks for a minute should make sure they have a valid health insurance before they travel.

And if for whatever reason they don't have an insurance then maybe it's a good idea to be careful.

 

"catastrophic collision with a concrete barrier" sounds to me like nobody else was involved.

 

Sad

Health insurance is not equal travel/accident insurance... and the main question would remain, does he even have a motorbike licence

 

But as far as foreign tourists go... it seems travel insurance is completely unnecessary, it is cheaper to later ask for donations on GoFundMe pages... nobody will ever get a cent from me for such an accident

[damo1967]

NO NEED to add to any Go Fund Me...   surely this guy had insurance....  had a motorbike licence...  was sober.. had a helmet on etc etc... no drugs in system...  His insurance will pay for him.    DO NOT DONATE TO THESE STUPID PEOPLE...   

[OneMoreFarang]

9 minutes ago, Swiss1960 said:

it seems travel insurance is completely unnecessary, it is cheaper to later ask for donations on GoFundMe pages

I know you are not completely serious. But I wonder how successful the average GoFundMe for such cases is. Do many of them get all the money they need, and maybe more? Or are many or most of those give me money requests ignored?

 

I remember a relative famous farang musician in Thailand, he made big money and spend a lot. Later he was sick and (I think his brother) set up a GoFundMe page. I thought that was strange, making good money and spending it all, and then asking for donations. 

[sfbandung]

I have lost track of the number of people I have warned about not riding a motorbike in Thailand. It should go without saying that if you don't hold a valid license to ride the same sized bike in your home country then you will not be insured. Every travel insurance policy I have seen explicitly says this. Same as no coverage for alcohol related incidents.

Bloody lucky the missus was wearing a helmet. I have very sympathy for the young family involved but now a hopefully generous public are being called upon to fund what was irresponsible behaviour.

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Amid the unimaginable ordeal, Simmons’ family has rallied support through a poignant GoFundMe campaign, revealing the extent of his injuries with more than half of his brain injured, along with seven broken ribs, a broken collar bone, and a damaged eye socket.

Taking a taxi suddenly seems not such a bad idea.

[Swiss1960]

4 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I know you are not completely serious. But I wonder how successful the average GoFundMe for such cases is. Do many of them get all the money they need, and maybe more? Or are many or most of those give me money requests ignored?

 

I remember a relative famous farang musician in Thailand, he made big money and spend a lot. Later he was sick and (I think his brother) set up a GoFundMe page. I thought that was strange, making good money and spending it all, and then asking for donations. 

Bloody serious. I don't pay/donate for other peoples stupidity... oh wait... maybe the concrete barrier jumped in front of his motorbike... well then, let's donate...

I give money for people I know when they need it, i.e. when they have cancer treatment that is not fully covered... but primarely, my extra money is to build up savings for the future, so I don't ever need a GoFundMe beggar page

[harrycallahan]

Should have had insurance then the protective shield provided by his contract would have allowed him to walk away without injury. 

[Bobthegimp]

They've raised under 8 grand, so it looks like the unfortunate fellow isn't going home any time soon.  His kids are 3 and 9.  I hope to God the oldest one hasn't read this thread.   

 

The scooter probably only came with one helmet.  My guess is that he gave the helmet to his female companion and chose to take the risk on himself (and his kids, by proxy).  A very bad stroke of luck that will destroy many lives. 

 

A few hours ago I posted a link to a video of the last scene of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" which was rightfully taken down.

 

While harsh, it's probably the kindest thing to do. 

 

[Jack Hammer]

6 hours ago, uttradit said:

What do you want people to say? This happens weekly in Thailand

 

Rephrase……. happens daily

[soalbundy]

7 hours ago, daveAustin said:

As usual topics like this are filled with unempathetic rubbishy comments (likely mostly from the boomer crowd) from folk who think they have never put a foot wrong and live perfect lives. Good chance family is reading this!

Empathy and hollow words of sympathy don't pay the bills. Everybody makes mistakes and the consequence as to who sweeps up the mess is a matter of fortune. A cruel fate, especially for those who take up the broom, no doubt. There are paths that guide our way, rough hew them how we may.

[Ken444]

No Helmet ?

I went on and on to my wife about wearing a helmet - till the point where I threatened to remove all the keys.

 

2 weeks after she complied she had an accident helmet smashed and cracked on one side, would have taken half her face off and cracked her skull.  Now she never goes ot without one ( probably because I would remove the keys - but that is the attitude here)

Edited February 9 by Ken444
spelling

[Jing Joe]

6 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

"Good chance family is reading this!".

 

, they'll just have to put up with the opinions of complete strangers.

 

Yes Lou say it like it is and cop this:- E.Scooters are the scourge of pedestrians and riders worldwide. France has banned them?   Only one helmet and mum got it? Tragic that two boys might lose that dad who made the stupid decision for either of the 2 parents to use an E. S.   No sympathy for anyone who knows about many existing worldwide tragedies, then gets on an E. Scooter, anywhere!  and now this tragedy.

Would he have worn a helmet anyway? even with added bike insurance or not?

Irresponsible kids? no, irresponsible parents, but hope he survives, is normal, and feel for the poor kids.

 

 

 

 

Edited February 9 by Jing Joe
edit

[ezzra]

Here in pattaya see all those farangs cowboys riding bikes, letting their hair go,

many with no helmets and with disregards to a modicum of traffic laws and road

safety and than you'll understand how and why those accidents are JUST WAITING to happen...

Edited February 9 by ezzra

[jacko45k]

1 minute ago, ezzra said:

Come to pattaya and see all those farangs cowboys riding bikes, many with no helmets and with

disregards to a modicum of traffic laws and road safety and than you'll understand how and

why those accidents are JUST WAITING to happen...

And on those large bikes with inept mufflers, demonstrating that it isn't only 16 year old Thai males on Honda Waves who want to be heard in a herd.

[Jing Joe]

29 minutes ago, harrycallahan said:

Should have had insurance then the protective shield provided by his contract would have allowed him to walk away without injury. 

But... They had already one helmet,  and two parents chose to ride the E.Scooter!!!         Read the fine print in the story, just like he should have read and obeyed the fine print of the insurance policy.