Olivia North, 21, Wins Clearance to Fly Home After Goa Crash Caused 3.6mm Brain Bleed
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 4
Olivia North, 21, Wins Clearance to Fly Home After Goa Crash Caused 3.6mm Brain Bleed
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 4
Summary
Doctors have cleared Olivia North, 21, to return to the UK at the end of the week, a month after a 5 May scooter crash in Goa left her in a coma.
A 3.6mm brain bleed and injuries to her left temporal lobe and cerebellum initially raised fears she might need skull surgery, but medication reduced the bleed and cabin-pressure concerns have eased.
North still suffers deep fatigue and memory loss — at first she could not remember her own name — though her family says more of her past and day-to-day memory is gradually returning.
Her father said she was not wearing a helmet when she crashed while riding back to her accommodation, and the lack of helmet use has invalidated her travel insurance claim.
Private treatment and repatriation are expected to cost about £20,000, with friends and relatives raising nearly £12,000 as she prepares to continue recovery in Cardiff.