American travel blogger Kaitlyn McCaffery left in coma after scooter crash in Bali
A California travel blogger has been left in a coma with a traumatic brain injury after a scooter crash in Bali — and her family is seeking donations to fly her back to the US.
Kaitlyn McCaffery, of Santa Clara, was found unconscious by the side of a road on the Indonesian island on July 31, the US Sun reported.
“Two young men found her on a remote road, alone, unconscious, broken and bleeding. Without their help, she surely would have died,” the young woman’s family wrote on a GoFundMe page, which has raised more than $200,000.
“Kaitlyn is currently in a coma at a hospital in Denpasar, Bali. She has suffered a traumatic brain injury along with multiple other serious injuries,” they wrote.
“It has been a challenge to communicate with the hospital staff due to the immense language barrier. Kaitlyn is fighting for her life!” the family added.
The Indonesian government has denied repeated requests by McCaffery’s relatives to visit her due to COVID-19 restrictions, they said.
“Thankfully, Kaitlyn has many loving friends who are by her side in Bali and are providing the family with updates around the clock. The family is doing everything they can to get to Bali,” the post continues.
The family said McCaffery did purchase travel insurance but the company has refused to pay for the cost to evacuate her to California, which will be about $250,000.
“The costs to evacuate her using an experienced international medevac company, such as Air Med or International SOS, are extremely daunting,” her post read.
McCaffery set out to travel the world after graduating from Cal State Fullerton five years ago with a degree in business entrepreneurship, according to her family. She has visited more than 50 countries.
Last year, she and her friend Ellie launched an online business selling fair trade accessories.
The two pals describe themselves on their official Instagram page as “two girls changing people’s relationship with manufacturing.”
A recent post shows McCaffery on a motor scooter alongside the caption: “Off we go to work today! this is how we will get all around Bali and we absolutely love it.”
