An Edinburgh University student has been in hospital in America for almost two months after being attacked by a wild bison while hiking on a month-long road trip.
Mia Dean, who was due to start studying in the capital in September, was only on the second day of the planned trip across the USA with a friend and his wolf-dog when they came across a large, male bison in the middle of their path after climbing a hill in Custer State Park, South Dakota.
After appearing unbothered by their presence, the bison suddenly stopped grazing, looked up and charged towards Mia.
The animal reportedly gorged the 19-year-old's leg and threw her up in the air. When she hit the ground, she was trapped and unable to move her injured leg. Mia's friend eventually managed to lead the bison away, although she sustained a completely severed femoral artery and severe damage to both her tibial and peroneal nerves.
Mia has been in hospital since the incident on June 16 and her parents, Jacqueline and Matthew have now set up a GoFundMe as the family face a huge medical and expenses bill, Edinburgh Live reports.
Mia's parents, from Brockham, south east England, posted on GoFundMe saying: "We are beyond fortunate that our daughter is still breathing, as she should have bled out in two-to-eight minutes after the severed artery and the ambulance didn't arrive for 20 minutes. It is a miracle that she is alive today.
"The staff at Rapid City Hospital have been like a second family and have done everything they can at this point, saving both Mia's life and leg, performing a bypass of the femoral artery. However, as the artery and muscle damage is healing, Mia is still suffering from severe nerve pain, numbness and hypersensitivity, paralysis and limited mobility below the knee, being unable to walk without walking aids, and managing only about 20 yards.
"The initial tests alone cost around $8,000, not including transport, accommodation and other expenses, the later flights home, or any possible surgeries needed. We are therefore asking to raise money to allow Mia to receive at least the initial testing and possible surgery at Mayo clinic."
The family said that before she set off, Mia had accepted a place at Edinburgh University and was due to start in September 2022, having decided to take a year out to work, explore and travel. They said despite the significant setback and injuries sustained, she remains positive.
They added: "We have no idea why this happened to our little girl, and simply wish for her to be able to walk and dance again and live her life to the full, without chronic long-term pain."
The family say that although Mia's travel insurance has paid for the femoral artery bypass, they are refusing to pay for even the initial examination by the specialist of her nerve injury. They say that Mayo clinic, a world-class hospital in the peripheral nerve field, has accepted Mia as a referral from Rapid City Hospital, but the complications surrounding the injuries mean time is running out to undergo multiple tests and surgeries.
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