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Thailand honeymoon horror leaves a Tunbridge Wells couple stranded in hospital

08:38, 12 July 2019

updated: 16:02, 15 July 2019

A couple need help after their honeymoon in paradise turned to "terror" and a £12,000 medical bill.

Abi Harrison of Tunbridge Wells has been left stranded in a hospital in Ko Toa, Thailand, after hitting her head in a motorcycle accident.

The newly wed and her husband Rory Sadlier, travelled to the sunny south east Asian destination on Sunday.

Newly weds Abi Harrison and Rory Sadlier had scrimped and saved to go on a holiday of a lifetime (13714754)
Newly weds Abi Harrison and Rory Sadlier had scrimped and saved to go on a holiday of a lifetime (13714754)

Miss Harrison, who chose to keep her name, said: "We arrived in Koh Taona a few days after leaving the UK.

"We loved the natural paradise and the sunsets and we were really getting into honeymoon mode."

The couple, who both work as carers, say they had been saving up for the holiday for five years.

However, things took a turn for the worse when the pair decided to hire a motorbike and drive to the beach for a snorkelling session in Tanote Bay on Wednesday.

Rory Sadlier and Abi Harrison have been left stranded in a Thailand hospital (13714252)
Rory Sadlier and Abi Harrison have been left stranded in a Thailand hospital (13714252)

Miss Harrison said:"We soon found ourselves on a tiny steep road where our brakes failed.

"We collided with the barrier and were thrown over into a rocky ravine.

"My husband Rory was able to climb up and scream for help while I stayed at the bottom.

A photo of one of Mr Sadlier's injuries (13736523)
A photo of one of Mr Sadlier's injuries (13736523)

"I was unable to move due to several head wounds and a deep laceration to my leg.

"I have never experienced that terror of thinking I might die like that.

"An Aussie couple, climbed down to me.

"They bound my wound and stopped me from becoming too shocked or passing out."

The pair had been saving up for their dream honeymoon for five years (13736521)
The pair had been saving up for their dream honeymoon for five years (13736521)

The emergency crews arrived and a rescue team were deployed to haul Miss Harrison to safety.

The road was lined with concerned onlookers as Miss Harrison was taken to hospital.

At Koh Tao Hospital her and Mr Sadlier's wounds were quickly cleaned and bound.

Abi Harrison faces a £12,000 medical bill as her insurance did not cover emergency surgery (13714760)
Abi Harrison faces a £12,000 medical bill as her insurance did not cover emergency surgery (13714760)

Then the pair were transported by emergency speed boat to Koh Samui for surgery. Miss Harrison has since been given morphine to quell the pain.

She said: "Our travel insurance is looking like it won't pay our medical bills, leaving us with at least a £12,000 bill and that's if I don't need further surgery."

The hospital has seized Miss Harrison's and Mr Sadlier's passports until they can settle the bill.

If you want to help get Rory and Abi home visit their GoFundMePage here.

Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells

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