Tuesday, 28th April 2009 - 15:24CET
Updated: Cambodia crash victim returns, may need operation
(Adds Lisa Gatt's commments)
Lisa Gatt, the Maltese girl who was injured in a traffic accident in Cambodia earlier this month, returned to Malta today assisted by a Red Cross team.
She was carried out of the arrivals lounge on a wheelchair and then put on a stretcher as she was greeted warmly by her father, her older sister Lia and friends.
Lisa Gatt had been on a work/holiday in Cambodia when she was seriously injured in a motrobike accident. Although she was operated, Lia told reporters today that she may need another operation in Malta because a pin inserted into her femur may be too long and was causing her pain.
Ms Gatt was brought back after a fund-raising campaign by her family. Lia expressed gratitude for the €8,000 collected so far, and said that should excess funds have been collected, they would be donated to charity.
Lisa said she had been unable to take out travel insurance because she had planned to stay in Cambodia for two years. Her only regret, she said, was having opted to travel on a motorcycle in such bad roads.
She said that medical facilities had been so primitive, that for two days her foot was just kept tied to a wooden splint.
She thanked all those who had assisted her, in any way.
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Comments
Speaking on behalf of my family, she did not bring any hassle to us and certaintly does not owe us any apology, I did what I did out of love and understanding, Accidents happen, when least expected and I would like to hope that if this happened to someone else they would seek help if needed for their loved ones too. I would walk to the end of the earth for her and I am sure she would do the same for me, can you say the same thing about your family?
P.S. I thought this may be helpful to you.
ac⋅ci⋅dent
1. an undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually results in harm, injury, damage, or loss; casualty; mishap: automobile accidents.
Thanks again to everyone who has helped towards bringing Lisa back, I know you have done so out of love!! And my family are forever grateful!! God bless all of you!!
I am sure you are glad that she is back. But what I would like to know is what did you do to help bring her back and how this has effected you, as you seem to be the only one here who is mentioning that a public apology should be made by Lisa And may I remind you that I am the one who starting the fundraising to bring my sister home. So I take full responsibility and if this has effected you in any way, please do let me know and if an apology is in order, I will give you one
As for you insinuating that she will make this mistake again and accusing her of abusing charity is simply offensive on your part, just because she holds no grudge against the beautiful country or its people, I can garauntee that having suffered 3 fractures, trauma, anxiety and being bed ridden for so long she will take better precautions next time she travels therefore justifying the reason why I started this campaign, to make sure that this raises the awareness for others, As I have mentioned many times before
But I was among the first to criticise her lack of sense for not taking insurance cover when she went to Cambodia and I still believe it.
If she couldn't afford a two-year insurance cover to Cambodia, or wherever she was travellilng, then she should have thought it twice, shouldn't she have?
And it appears, now, that she will willingly go back to continue her travels.
I have absolutely no problem with her travelling but to then have to rely on the generosity of the people around her ... well, I would call that abusing of charity.
Not to mention the worry and the hassle that she brought on her family!
You continue harping about WHAT'S DONE IS DONE but one has to learn from one's actions, no? Otherwise, we will carry on, our heads bowed down, oblivious of what mistakes we commit.
Not even a word of apology was publicly uttered by your sister; something like 'I sincerely apologise for the hassle I caused when you have so many other priorities to think about' would have gone a long way.
@ Mr. Rizzo, worldwide health cover would cost over 2000EUR for 6 months and it would not include repatriation. Don't worry, everyone learnt from this story.
Anyways, we should only be happy that Lisa got back home and wish her a speedy recovery.
Nobody is perfect but I am sure many of you think that You are coming from the feedback we have recieved on previous article updates. But the main thing is that she is home (no need for inverted comas) And the people who donated are the people who wanted to help from their heart.
For the rest of you who pointed fingers, I hope this never happens to your loved ones and if it does I hope there are still good people left to help if they are in need.
Health comes before money and other considerations.
I'm not referring for this case. Im referring to this so that all people will learn a lesson.
I hope she'll be better soon. She is in our prayers.
She could have done many other things, she could have had travel insurance and died. What is done is done now.
She is human, and she is hurt. They have also found 2 more fractures that went undetected and are near the area where her other pins are meant to go, making a very complicated surgery.
She needed immediate medical attention and it looks like she still has a long road ahead. Since you know so much about travel insurance why not do something positive and post exactly how much it would cost a person for 2 years? And I am sure that would be unafforable for most youngsters wanting to travel but atleast they will know the risk they are taking before they leave for their destination.
Thank u to all for your support in bringing her home, My sister is in alot of pain but still has a beautiful smile on her face. I am so proud of her!!
Hope the journalist who asked such questions doesn't make "mistakes"
Guys - kelma nieqsa hafna ahjar min kelma zejda
BTW I am not a relative of Lisa Gatt.
Will evrybody please check facts before posting here?
Air MAlta's travel insurance is for a year but each trip within that year cannot exceed 31 days. In fact this type of insurance is offered by many insurance companies and is suitable for frequent travellers but not for a trip that lasts 2 years!