An aspiring martial arts fighter has suffered a devastating leg injury after being knocked off his scooter in Thailand, with his medical bills expected to cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Tommy Kirk, 23, was just three days into an intensive two-week Muay Thai training trip in Koh Samui with a friend when he was knocked off his scooter by a driver driving on the wrong side of the road on January 30.
They collided with such force that Mr Kirk’s bone pierced his skin and he suffered a clean fracture to the tibia and fibula of his right leg.
Mr Kirk, a mine operator from Kitchener in the Hunter region of NSW, was taken to hospital where doctors performed emergency surgery to save his leg.
His medical bills are skyrocketing and he will have to fly home in business class after a further procedure to repair the bone.
It is understood that Mr Kirk had travel insurance, but the company has refused to cover his medical bills because the insurance did not cover these types of motorcycle accidents.
It’s another warning for Australians traveling to South East Asia to ensure they add full motorcycle cover to their travel insurance, as mopeds are the main mode of transport in the region.
Tommy Kirk (pictured), 23, was just three days into a two-week intensive Muay Thai training trip to the island of Koh Samui with a friend when he was knocked off his scooter by another driver going through an intersection on the wrong side flew. side of the road on January 30
Mr Kirk (pictured), a mine operator from Kitchener in the Hunter region of NSW, was taken to hospital where doctors performed emergency surgery to save his leg
Nathan Jones, a friend who set up a fundraiser to fly Mr. Kirk home, said Mr. Kirk and his friend Blake had just finished eating after a day of training when they got on separate scooters to return home.
“Tommy was only crawling along when another driver came flying through an intersection and wiped him out,” Mr Jones told Daily Mail Australia.
‘He was stuck on the side of the road and the ambos had to come and clear him away. Bad compound fracture. A clean fracture of the tibia and calf in his lower leg.’
Mr Jones, who is himself a professional Muay Thai fighter, said Mr Kirk had recently developed a passion for the martial art and traveled to Thailand to train.
“He’s just a young guy and he went out there to try to do something good for himself, changed his life for the better and then something like this happens,” Mr Jones said.
“It’s heartbreaking.”
Nathan Jones (pictured front right), a champion Muay Thai fighter, said Mr Kirk (second from right, back row) had recently developed a passion for the martial art and traveled to Thailand to hone his skills
Mr Jones said his friend had not been drinking and it was clear the other driver was at fault.
Doctors were due to insert an internal fixation rod last week to help stabilize the shattered bone, but postponed the operation until today after discovering sepsis in his lungs.
Although he will not be allowed to fly home without the procedure, it is still considered elective, meaning Mr Kirk’s devastated family had to raise around $35,000 before doctors would operate.
“Muay Thai changed Tommy’s life and gave him a purpose to be healthy. If this happens to someone on holiday it is nothing short of a tragedy and we hope we can help his family get him home safely so he can make a full recovery. ‘ Mr Jones wrote on the fundraising.
So far it has raised almost $17,000.