A British woman says a dream holiday in Thailand has turned into a nightmare that is costing her tens of thousands of pounds. Joanna Ingram, 57, flew to the Southeast Asian haven with her husband Stuart, 57, in February 2026, seeking some tranquil winter sunshine.

However, towards the end of their holiday, the receptionist from Belton, Norfolk, suffered a fall from a horse, resulting in severe spinal injuries. Initially, Joanna was uncertain if she would regain her ability to walk, but thankfully, following emergency surgery, she is on the path to a full recovery.

She alleges that her travel insurance company will not cover her medical expenses, classifying horse riding as a "high-risk" activity. She said this leaves Joanna facing a daily hospital bill of £2,000. The UK Foreign Office says Brits may not be covered by their insurer for some activities abroad.

Joanna and husband Stuart

Joanna said: "One minute I was on the back of the horse, the next I was laying on my back on the ground. I've got no recollection of how I got there.

"Doctors said I'd broken my back in three places. I was devastated. Me and Stuart were both terrified, we didn't know if I'd be able to walk or move again, or if we'd be able to get home.

"I went into emergency surgery, and thankfully, I do have full movement, which is an absolute miracle. Our insurance won't cover us, they say horse riding is a high-risk activity, which I had no idea about.

Joanna in hospital

"We've had to fund all of our medical treatment ourselves. It's cost over £30,000 so far, and its's climbing every day, it's really scary."

Joanna and Stuart, a supervisor at a building firm, jetted off to Thailand for a fortnight's holiday on 21 February, spending the first part of their trip enjoying the sunshine on the beaches of Phuket and Koh Samui. For their final few days, they headed to Krabi, and on Sunday, 8 March, Joanna set off on a pony trek along the beach.

Joanna said her recollection of what happened is unclear and that all she remembers is being on the horse one moment, and lying on the ground the next. Despite being in considerable pain, Joanna initially thought she had simply winded herself.

The holiday was going so well until the incident

She managed to perch on a log, but then found it too agonising to move, so the staff operating the pony trek helped her into a vehicle and drove her back to her hotel. At the hotel, Stuart called an ambulance, and she was rushed to hospital, where doctors informed her she had fractured her back in three separate places.

The diagnosis left Joanna and Stuart heartbroken, as they were uncertain whether Joanna would ever walk again. She was rushed into emergency surgery for spinal fusion surgery, to stabilise her spine and alleviate pain.

"I think I have seven different screws in my back, holding it together," she said. Fortunately, the operation was successful, and Joanna has complete mobility, which she described as a "miracle".

Joanna and Stuart say they now face large bills

She is now working with a physiotherapist, who is helping her get back on her feet and walk short distances. The couple say they have been forced to fund their medical treatment entirely out of their own pockets, leaving them facing an enormous bill of £30,000 and rising.

"Every day I'm in hospital, there's another £2,000 added to the bill," she said. Joanna is hoping that she and Stuart will be able to fly home within the next 10 days, though the flight will add a further £10,000 to their already eye-watering bill.

And once back in Britain, the couple will need to pay around £2,000 for a private ambulance to transport Joanna home, as she won't be able to sit in a normal car due to her condition, she said. Fortunately, friends and family have rallied round to support Joanna, setting up a GoFundMe page to raise funds towards her medical expenses - https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-jo-recover-and-get-home-after-devastating-spinal-injury

"I can't express how grateful I am to everyone who has donated so far," she said. For information on travel insurance abroad and what may not be covered, the Foreign Office in the UK has guidance on gov.uk here.