Latest news with #BalazsCzako
News.com.au
5 days ago
- News.com.au
Aussie couple's horror Bali scooter crash
A Melbourne couple's annual trip to Bali turned to horror after a scooter accident sent them crashing to the ground. Balazs 'Baz' Czako and his fiance Julia Kirishun, 38, were just two days into their nine-day trip to celebrate Baz's 40th birthday when the shocking accident unfolded in Seminyak, a popular beach resort on the island. Julia, originally from Moscow, suffered a subdural haematoma, a potentially fatal bleeding on the brain caused by head trauma, and underwent emergency surgery following the incident on July 26. The pair were out enjoying a nice dinner when they decided to call it a night and head back to their hotel, TS Suites, for an early start to Baz's birthday celebrations the following day. Baz, who was riding the scooter with Julia behind him, told it was late at night, the roads were wet and the streets dark. 'I remember getting on the back and typing on the GPS our hotel and it saying 12 minutes to arrive at our accommodation. It was around nine minutes in when the accident occurred,' he said. 'The route the GPS took us on was a completely unlit alley. There were no cars in front as I went around the bend but out of nowhere this black Toyota came out of a side alley from our left.' Baz said he immediately applied the brake to avoid a head-on collision with the vehicle but the rear wheel of the scooter went to the left and 'we hit the ground on our right sides of our body'. Baz said his foot looked like it had been 'put through a blender', but his main concern was his fiance. 'I managed to get up and quickly rushed over to Julia and quickly noticed she was unresponsive. I thought I had lost her, I thought she was dead,' an emotional Baz told as he recalled the horrific night. 'I started getting frantic and screaming 'wake up, baby' and tapping her on the cheek. I can't begin to describe what I was feeling.' Eventually, nearby locals rushed over to help and called an ambulance that arrived within 10 minutes. Julia was rushed to BIMC Hospital Kuta where she underwent emergency brain surgery after a CAT scan confirmed she had bleeding and bruising on the brain. 'They shaved a section of her head, opened her scalp in the top left of her head, removed a section of her skull and extracted the blood that was clotting, to remove pressure off the brain that was causing it to shift,' Baz explained. Julia is now in a stable condition and has been given clearance to fly back home to Australia. However, the couple, who share a son with special needs, have been slapped with hospital expenses exceeding $55,000. Julia's lifesaving surgery cost more than $30,000 alone. As a result, Baz started a GoFundMe to help with medical bills and ongoing neurological support and rehabilitation. He explained the hospital would not keep Julia in ICU, despite her condition, if he did not fork out the $5,000 a day fee. 'What was upsetting was they were going to discharge her in that state if I didn't have the funds,' he said. She spent a total of six days in ICU before being transferred to the general ward that costs roughly $750 a day for a bed. Baz was able to dip into his life-savings, and with the help of his parents, covered the daily hospital fees, but it has left a huge financial burden on the family. Baz said he contacted his insurance company and is 'still waiting for a response' after they allegedly 'refused coverage due to technicalities'. Angus Kidman, travel expert at Finder told riding a scooter can be risky business, insurance-wise. 'Policies vary, but many travel insurance providers will only cover you if you have an Australian motorcycle licence and the correct local driving permits as well,' he said. 'Off-road driving is often excluded as well. So if you think you'll ever be jumping on a scooter during a trip, check the PDS for your insurer carefully – search for the word 'scooter' and see what it says.' Baz wanted to extend his gratitude to people who have already donated funds on the GoFundMe and also to the surgeons who operated on Julia and saved her life. 'I have never been in a situation where I've needed to request help, this is all new to me and I am overwhelmed with the generosity of everyone reaching out to help.' Baz said it was a miracle he suffered no broken bones and has since had his foot attended to. The pair's accident is the latest in a string of scooter-related incidents involving Australians in Bali. Last week, Keanu Neilson, a young father from Bundaberg, was in Bali celebrating his sister-in-law's 30th birthday when his scooter collided with a ute in Kuta on July 31. Keanu suffered a serious brain injury and multiple fractures and remains in hospital in Bali as he is too unwell to return to Australia. Smartraveller, the government's official advice platform, also urges caution, warning that Indonesian road users are 'often unpredictable or undisciplined'.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Melbourne mum faces $55,000 Bali hospital bill after insurance denies claim on a technicality that every Aussie needs to know about
A Melbourne mum is fighting for her life after suffering a traumatic brain injury in Bali - and her travel insurance won't cover the medical costs due to a technicality. Julia Kir, originally from Moscow, remains in intensive care after being involved in a serious motorbike crash while holidaying in Indonesia with her family. She suffered a subdural haematoma, a potentially fatal bleeding on the brain caused by head trauma, and underwent emergency surgery earlier this week. Her fiancé, Balazs Czako, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover soaring medical bills after the couple's travel insurer refused to pay out, citing 'technicalities' related to the accident. 'Julia is now in a fight for her life after a catastrophic medical emergency overseas,' Mr Czako wrote. 'She has suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and is currently in critical condition in intensive care.' So far, Ms Kir's life-saving surgery has cost more than $30,000, with overall hospital expenses exceeding $55,000. Although her condition has since stabilised, she remains too unwell to be cleared as fit to fly home for further treatment. Ms Kir is a devoted mum to son Alexander, who has special needs. She has been described as a 'devoted friend, loving daughter and vibrant woman with so much ahead of her.' Her fiancé added: 'She's generous, passionate, and kind to her core. She's one of those rare souls who lights up every room she walks into. She's the one who shows up for everyone else, and now, she needs us to show up for her.' Her story has also reignited warnings about the dangers of motorbike travel in Bali and the common insurance pitfalls many travellers overlook. Many travel insurance policies won't cover injuries from motorbike accidents unless strict conditions are met. In most cases, travellers must be wearing a helmet, be sober, ride a bike under 250cc, and hold both a valid Australian driver's licence and an International Driver's Permit. Failing to meet any of these conditions can void a claim. Some insurers do offer optional moped coverage for a small additional fee - even if the traveller doesn't have a motorcycle licence, but only if those conditions are strictly followed. Smartraveller, the government's official advice platform, also urges caution, warning that Indonesian road users are 'often unpredictable or undisciplined.' Ms Kir's case is the latest in a string of recent scooter-related tragedies involving Australians in Bali. Just last week, Keanu Neilson, a young father from Bundaberg, suffered a serious brain injury and multiple fractures after his scooter collided with a ute in Kuta in the early hours of July 31. He also remains in hospital in Bali and is too unwell to return to Australia.
