Clare woman who had 'sudden and traumatic' accident in Vietnam now cleared to return home

Aoife Cahill is understood to have been going to Thailand from Vietnam to meet friends when she suffered a fall on December 19. Picture: GoFundMe

A Clare woman put into an induced coma after being seriously injured while travelling in Vietnam has been cleared to come home, according to her family.

Aoife Cahill had been living in Australia, where she moved after working as a secretary at University Hospital Limerick, but had gone to Vietnam on her Christmas break.

She is understood to have been going to Thailand to meet friends when she suffered a fall on December 19.

In a GoFundMe appeal for €57,500, her family explained Aoife was involved in a “sudden and traumatic” accident.

Her brother, Rúairí Cahill, who organised the fundraiser for his sister, said: “This has been an unimaginable shock for her family and friends.

“Aoife is receiving medical care far from home, and the costs involved are significant and ongoing.

“Alongside her immediate medical treatment, there will be substantial expenses for hospital care, specialist treatment, and ultimately arranging for Aoife to be safely transported home once she is well enough to travel.”

The money raised will go towards emergency and ongoing medical care in Vietnam, hospital and specialist treatment costs, medical transport and repatriation to bring Aoife home, as well as associated travel and logistical expenses for her care.

Aoife, from Killaloe, was successfully woken from her coma on December 26, after a previous attempt had been unsuccessful.

She had been put into the coma to help reduce swelling on her brain.

After being woken up, Rúairí told people in an update on the GoFundMe page that she was “showing really positive signs”. He said: “Aoife had her CT scan to assess where things currently stand, and the results are back.

“Thankfully, both the doctor and the surgeon are very happy with the outcome and have now cleared Aoife to be taken home, where she will continue her recovery.”

He added: “She has proven to be incredibly strong through all of this. But the biggest part of that strength has come from the support, messages, and love that so many of you have sent over the last few weeks.

“We will provide a further update once we are home.”

The fundraiser has raised €57,686 of the €57,500 goal, thanks to more than 1,500 donations from members of the public.