Emotional welcome for Cambodia crash girl

Times of Malta

Fiona Galea Debono

Lisa Gatt fielding questions by reporters at the Malta International Airport, on her arrival from Cambodia, yesterday. Comforting her is her sister Lia (right). Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi.

The young woman stranded in a Cambodian clinic after a nasty traffic accident has learnt one lesson: "Don't get on a motorbike with your crazy boss!"

The fact that Lisa Gatt was not insured - a question raised by the public and justified by her sister, who said she left in a hurry - was neither an issue, nor a regret: "I was planning on staying for about two years and no one insures you if your trip is indefinite... They wouldn't insure you for more than six months," she explained from a stretcher yesterday.

The overwhelmed 23-year-old landed in Malta yesterday, three weeks after a road accident that resulted in a pin being inserted into her leg, cutting short her trip.

It was thanks to the contributions of the Maltese - €8,000 - for which she expressed immense gratitude, that she was flown back. "I would have still been sitting in that clinic, terrified, were it not for them!"

In tears and hiding her face, Ms Gatt was wheeled into the airport's arrivals lounge by Malta Red Cross members, receiving an emotional welcome from her father and elder sister, Lia, who had launched a fund-raising Facebook campaign to bring her back.

"Were it not for the public's support, I do not know when I would have seen her again," a relieved Lia Gatt said. "I would have spent another four months worrying about her."

The plan was to immediately sort out the bills the Red Cross members, who accompanied her back, incurred, and any extra funds would go to charity, she said.

Ms Gatt got to hold her three-month-old nephew for the first time, heightening the emotion of the reunion.

Following the accident, her leg was merely tied to a rudimentary wooden splint for two days. She spent the following 10 in a clinic in Sihanoukville, which Malta Red Cross member Audrick Plum said was unacceptable in terms of hygiene.

"Lisa may have had her own room... but five metres away, plates and towels were being washed," said Mr Plum, who is also an army paramedic. "Two German friends visited her every day but that was about it!"

He was one of three to go on the mission to face the logistical issues to bring her back, including visa problems and the five-day wait to confirm that someone in her condition was fit to fly.

While acknowledging that the Cambodians had done their utmost, he pointed out that, after her operation, Ms Gatt did not move for 10 days, which was considered detrimental to her health.

As soon as they arrived, they took over her medical file and got her to a professional hospital in Bangkok, where she did some physiotherapy to prepare for the long and "exhausting" journey back, taking her first baby steps.

Ms Gatt had been in Cambodia for five months, travelling alone to visit a friend, who had sent her a ticket, her sister said. She was helping out in a restaurant but did not have enough money to foot the hefty medical expenses, which were estimated to run into €24,000.

"The Cambodians did the best they could, poor things... They don't have much. But, of course, it is not up to European standards and is quite scary...

"If you think Maltese roads are bad, those in Cambodia are much worse," she recounted, reliving the accident, which saw two motorbikes crash against each other when they both tried to avoid a hole.

Despite the trauma she experienced, Ms Gatt was, nevertheless, determined to return to Cambodia.

"I still love it. It's an amazing country, with amazing people. Accidents happen!"

But before going back, she may have to undergo surgery again. The pin inserted in her thigh bone may be too long and she is in pain, she explained, exposing a scarred, strapped-up leg, which should finally get a proper check-up now.

But at least she is "home"...