Dawn Weldon sustained a fractured skull and bruising on the brain, a fractured C2, fractured right shoulder (which needed a plate), a fractured ulnar and radius and also an open wound on her wrist, a fractured tibia and fibula, with a further two plates needed in her leg, multiple fractured ribs (1-8) and a lung contusion following a moped accident.

The 53-year-old nurse was holidaying in Thailand with her 14-year-old son, Josh, when she had a head-on collision with a truck in Koh Lanta on January 15. Josh, the passenger, escaped with minimal injuries.

“I’m absolutely tired and worn out,” Dawn told the Guardian.

Friend of 10 years, Donna Saalfeld, flew to be by Dawn’s side as soon as she heard of the accident.

“I know she'd do it for me,” Donna told the Guardian.

“Within two days of her accident I was there – my passport was fast tracked after I explained to the consulate what had happened. I bought myself a ticket and hopped on the plane.”

When it came to light that Dawn's travel insurance did not cover her accident a ‘gofundme’ page was established in a bid to help cover the mounting medical costs, which were already around $60,000 and increasing by $2500 daily. 

“I’m 150 per cent sure she believed she was covered, because she would not put her son in danger,” Donna said.

“That's the whole underlying factor – at the start, we were told she would get 1.5 million Baht ($AU56,000) of medical insurance coverage. There was a process to find out if she was covered, and we got her transferred from a government hospital to a private hospital due to the extent of her injuries and her life-threatening trauma.

“The technical team had a look at police documents, hospital records and drivers licence, then reneged on the policy.”

Her claim was rejected because the moped had enough power to be classified as a motorbike and she didn’t have a license to ride one in Australia. 

The ‘General Exclusions’ clause in the Allianz Insurance Basic policy states: "This applies even if you are not required by law to hold a licence in the country."

“I’ve been in contact with a couple of lawyers to follow up with the travel insurance policy and see if we can dispute it later,” Donna said.

In addition to the mounting medical costs, Dawn’s travel expenses to get home were quoted at $36,000, given the need for a medical expert and doctor to escort her home.

“That’s why the cost is so high. Given the extent of medical care needed for Dawn’s repatriation, she needs to fly business class so she can lie down for most of the journey. She needs a doctor and nurse plus medical equipment to keep her safe and comfortable.”

While many have criticised and condemned Dawn online, a large number were empathetic, donating to the cause to bring her home.

Allianz Global Assistance said in a statement “we urge all our customers not to undertake activities overseas that would be considered dangerous or which they would not do at home … we will continue to work with Dawn’s family to ensure her safe arrival back to Australia”.

An astonishing $82,853 has been raised (so far) by 1659 people in six days with the gofundme account page regularly updated with copies of receipts to show those who have donated exactly where the money has gone.

“Thank you to everyone ... I don't know how long it will last or what it will do, but I know it will help,” Dawn said from her hospital bed.

Donna said she was sure that “in time, when Dawn’s memory returns and she realises the enormity of the situation, she will be ‘gobsmacked’ by the generosity shown by the public … and I know her family certainly does appreciate everything.”

Dawn has been told she can fly back to Australia on February 7, if the funds are cleared to pay for her bills.

“At this point the wheels are in motion to get her to a Sydney hospital for monitoring, rehabilitation and plastic surgery if she needs it,” Donna said.

“Eventually she’ll come back to Coffs Harbour Base Hospital for some more observations before going home. 

“It is, and will be, a long road to recovery. Her memory is very bad at the moment and she’s in a lot of pain.

“But each day we’re seeing huge improvements, she’s starting to talk more. She’s having conversations with her son and she’s been sitting up in a wheelchair for an hour each day to prepare her for the flight home.

“It’s been very overwhelming.”

For those who want to donate, visit the gofundme page: https://www.gofundme.com/dawns-medical-expeneses or alternatively, deposit money straight into the hospital’s fund: www.phukethospital.com then go to e-payment and enter the following details: MRS DAWN WELDON-SCHUPP. 05-17-003122.