A WORRIED woman whose mum and sister are hospitalised in Montenegro with serious injuries after being hit by a car has thanked well-wishers for their “heart-warming” support.
Ella Barratt said Helen and Nell Barratt, from near Rainbow Hill in Worcester, are “desperate” to return to the UK after being knocked down as they walked back from a shop almost two weeks ago.
The mum and daughter, who live near Rainbow Hill, were rushed by ambulance unconscious from the roadside in the coastal town of Budva after the driver allegedly mounted the kerb and hit them.
Ella, 27, fears they may never walk again as a result of their injuries on April 13.
They had flown to the popular tourist destination earlier in the day while Ella and her boyfriend had travelled from their home in neighbouring Serbia for a family reunion.
A family friend has launched a £40,000 GoFundMe appeal to pay for a 1,800-mile medical repatriation flight as well as ongoing medical, legal and living costs.
Nell Barratt suffered a serious back injury as a result of the crash in Montenegro (Image: Ella Barratt/GoFundMe)
“They are both very upset, scared and worried about the situation and are desperate to get home,” Ella said.
“The nurses are nice but because of the language barrier, it is a struggle to tell the staff what they want.
“We want to get them comfortable and to have all the scans done, rather than having to constantly fight for information.”
Helen Barratt suffered a split lip after being hit by a car in Montenegro (Image: Ella Barratt/GoFundMe)
Helen, 53, has 10 head injuries which have required stitching, a fractured pubic bone and a split lip.
Nell, 19, has injuries including a broken collarbone, fractures to her vertebrae and at the base of her spine and a large, partially-open wound on her back.
“The doctor has given a plan of three weeks’ rest since the date of the incident and then to see if they can walk again,” Ella said.
“We don’t know if they can walk because neither of them has been mobile since it happened.
“We all want them to go back to England where they can communicate better with doctors and be around people who can support them and help them if they are in pain.”
Helen Barratt is recovering in hospital in Montenegro after sustaining multiple injuries (Image: Ella Barratt/GoFundMe)
Helen and Nell have global health insurance, but this doesn’t cover a medical repatriation and, unknown to them at the time, their travel insurance had expired.
The family had been due to stay in a shared apartment in Budva until April 17, so Ella and her boyfriend are staying on and trying as best they can to support the pair.
The appeal has raised more than £7,500 to date.
Ella Barratt (front, left) is standing by her young sister Nell (Image: Ella Barratt/GoFundMe)
“It was a shock to see how many people have come forward, donating, texting and offering support and solutions,” Ella said.
“It’s heart-warming and we’re thankful and grateful.
“The family has been supportive as well but they can only do so much when they are in England, which is another reason why we want them to return home.”
To donate, visit: www.gofundme.com/f/helping-helen-and-nell-with-costs-while-in-montenegro
