The grieving family of an Australian craftsman who died in a moped accident in Bali are relieved they will not have to sell their home to pay mounting medical bills.
Shane Ramsey, 30, from Perth, was visiting the Indonesian island for a wedding and was riding his motorbike in Seminyak on August 18 when he crashed into a roadside pole.
Mr. Ramsey was on his way to watch a UFC fight with friends when tragedy struck.
The carpenter suffered serious head injuries and was rushed to BIMC Hospital in Kuta, where he was put into a coma.
His family paid $70,000 for him to undergo emergency neurological surgery and arranged a medical evacuation flight back to Australia, which is believed to have cost around $150,000.
Doctors at Royal Perth Hospital told Mr Ramsey’s family that his brain function would not return, forcing them to make the heartbreaking decision to turn off his ventilator.
A week later, his parents, fearing they would have to sell their home to pay mounting medical bills, were able to remortgage the house after kind-hearted Australians raised nearly $130,000.
It gives the family peace of mind as they prepare to say goodbye to Mr Ramsey this Friday.
The grieving family of Australian craftsman Shane Ramsey (pictured left), who died in a horrific moped accident in Bali last month, will not have to sell their home to pay his huge medical bills
Medical expenses ran to over $350,000, as Mr Ramsey had no travel insurance, and would have only cost him about $50 a week.
Ramsey’s mother Catherine said she considered the option of becoming homeless in an attempt to pay off the debt.
“You do what you have to do and we did what any parent would do in that situation,” she said 7news.com.au.
“You’re kind of on autopilot (in the middle of grieving). The banks were great and everyone was understanding and trying to help.”
Shane Ramsey, 30, (pictured) was riding a motorbike in Seminyak on August 18 when he crashed into a pole on the side of the road
Mrs Ramsey posted a heartbreaking message on Facebook to announce her son’s funeral, which will take place this Friday afternoon at Pinnaroo West Chapel, Whitfords Avenue, Padbury, at 2.30pm,’ she wrote.
‘Everyone is welcome to come and say goodbye to a dear son, brother and friend who left us far too early.’
A private wake will be held for close family and friends at .
Mrs Ramsey thanked everyone who had helped her in her desperate attempt to get her son home.
She also warned Australians travelling to Bali to think twice before getting on a scooter.
Friends and loved ones gather in Perth on Friday to say goodbye to carpenter Shane Ramsey
“Watch out. This will happen in the blink of an eye,” Mrs. Ramsey said.
Ramsey’s death was followed by another horrific incident after his compatriot Thomas Cossins (30) was killed in a motorcycle accident on Friday.
Mr Cossins reportedly lost control of the motorcycle he was riding while travelling on the road from Denpasar to Singaraja, in Gitgit village, Buleleng regency.
He went into a sharp bend and crashed into a concrete barrier.