Woman left with broken spine and in a coma after horrifying Ayia Napa buggy crash
Ben Thompson
Featured Image Credit: MEN Media
A British tourist has been left in a coma with a broken spine after a horrific buggy crash in Ayia Napa.
Ellie Horrocks, from Westhoughton, Greater Manchester, was rushed to hospital on Monday (26 June) after the horrific accident.
Due to suffering severe head injuries and a broken spine after her buggy overturned, doctors had no choice but to put the 22-year-old into a medically induced coma.
Her family are now desperately trying to fly her back home so she can receive medical treatment surrounded by friends and family.
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Ellie had moved to Cyprus in May to work in a bar and 'experience life'.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Horrocks' aunt Sarah said: "She's young, so she likes going out with her friends, she's got loads and loads of friends, but she's also just a very creative person.
"She's a really, really, well-loved girl."
Ellie had hired the buggy to go and see the sunset on a different part of the island and had been forced to swerve out of the way of an oncoming car, leading to the devastating injuries.
Her mum Leanne has flown out to be with her in Nicosia Hospital.
Aunt Sarah said: "It's awful - none of us are sleeping.
"Her condition is just so unknown at the moment. Every day, her mum gets a call off the doctor at 11am, and then they can only see Ellie for one hour."
Leanne has set up a GoFundMe page with a goal of raising the £60,000 to bring Ellie back to Manchester on an air ambulance.
In just 24 hours, the family received a jaw-dropping £61,947 from over 3,200 generous supporters.
Writing on the appeal, Leanne said: "We urgently want to get her home to Manchester, to be treated in a specialist neurology hospital where she can heal and hopefully recover close to her family and friends.
"The cost of repatriation from Nicosia Hospital in Cyprus to the UK is significant and not covered by Ellie’s insurance and this has meant we have had to reach out for help.
"We would really appreciate any help and financial support that you are able to give Ellie.
"Your donation will go directly towards the cost of on-going medical treatment in Cyprus and an air ambulance back to the UK.
"Any amount you can contribute will help Ellie to get the care and treatment she needs to reach a full recovery.
"As you can imagine this is any parents worst nightmare and I desperately need to get her home."
The family have expressed their gratitude for all the donations and messages of support.
Sarah said: "All the donations and the kindness everyone has shown has just been incredible. So we want to thank them all."