ICU Nurse Returns Home After Devastating ATV Crash in Thailand
Sierra Fairhurst, an ICU nurse at Salem Hospital, is back in Massachusetts after surviving a serious ATV accident during a trip to Thailand. The 23-year-old arrived at Boston Logan Airport on March 27 and was immediately taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
Although she didn’t require inpatient care, Fairhurst is now recovering at home with a long medical journey ahead.
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Severe Injuries, Long Recovery
The accident left Fairhurst with multiple injuries, including facial trauma, a brain bleed, and several broken bones. After the accident, Fairhurst’s mother and brother flew to Thailand to help navigate her care. She underwent emergency surgery in Krabi, Thailand, before being transferred to a hospital in Bangkok for further treatment.
Despite challenges caused by a lost passport, Fairhurst made it back to the U.S., and is under the care of several specialists. Her follow-up care includes appointments with a wound care clinic, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, neurologist, ocular plastic surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, cosmetic dentist, and her primary care provider.
Despite the seriousness of her injuries, Fairhurst’s family says her prognosis is hopeful. “Her face can be fixed, her wounds will heal, bones can be repaired,” her mother, Zoe Rose, wrote in an update on GoFundMe. “She has the strength to overcome all of this.”
Rose added, “Despite the long road ahead for her, this could have been completely different, and I'm so grateful to have her here, alive and her brain in working order.”
GoFundMe Nears Its Goal
A GoFundMe campaign set up to assist with Fairhurst’s medical expenses has raised nearly $79,000 toward its $90,000 goal. The funds will help support ongoing treatment and recovery costs.
Hoping to Return to the Bedside
Fairhurst told Boston 25 News that she’s eager to return to her nursing career but is focused on healing first. “I would definitely like to heal quickly and be able to get back to work, see my coworkers and my friends, and take care of my patients. But I know I need to be able to pour from a full cup, and if my cup isn’t full, I can’t help anybody else.”
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