VANCOUVER – A Pemberton woman who was severely injured in a skydiving accident in the U.S. was flown back to B.C. on Tuesday.
Kenzie Markey arrived in Vancouver around 7 p.m. and was taken straight to the Lions Gate Hospital.
“Each day she’s a little bit better,” says her mother Sherry. “She’s got a long road ahead of her, she’s got a lot of injuries as you know and she was getting frustrated. I’m hoping it’s going to go a lot faster recovery when she’s back here because she wanted to get back to Canada.”
Markey had her parachute collapse from wind turbulence when she was skydiving in Arizona on April 6.
She fell to the ground, breaking her skull, eye socket, nose, pelvis, femur, toe and elbow.
He father Joe says his daughter’s condition remains unchanged, but she was already starting physiotherapy on Monday.
He says his daughter is very happy and relieved to be coming home.
But her hospital bill is now in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Markey’s family will be covering the cost of the air ambulance trip as well. Local company Executive Air Ambulance performed the service at cost.
There is a fundraising page that has been set up for Markey. So far, more than $15,000 has been raised. Markey’s father says they will be relying on this money to cover part of the air ambulance cost.
A local company that negotiates medical bills with U.S. hospitals has also agreed to step in and help the family at no charge.
Joe Markey says it is greatly appreciated.
Markey had travel insurance, however her policy did not cover injuries related to extreme sports.
The Ministry of Health told Global News MSP will help pay for unexpected medical services for eligible British Columbian residents anywhere in the world, provided the services are medically required, rendered by a licensed physician and normally insured by MSP.
“Reimbursement is made in Canadian funds and does not exceed the amount payable had the same services been performed in B.C.,” said the ministry in a statement. “Any excess cost (i.e. higher doctor fees, or flights) is the responsibility of the beneficiary.”
Pascal Dessureault with TD Bank that provided insurance for Markey told Global News:
“While we empathize with the circumstances Ms. Markey is facing, our travel insurance policy excludes coverage related to or resulting from hazardous activities, including mountaineering, bungee-jumping, parachuting, parasailing, cave exploration, hang-gliding, skydiving or any airborne activity in any aircraft other than a passenger aircraft that holds a valid certificate of airworthiness.
We encourage customers to review their insurance policies prior to traveling and contact their insurance providers should they have any questions.
We know such events can have tremendous human and financial costs. Our thoughts are with Ms. Markey and her family.”
WATCH: BC woman seriously injured in U.S. skydiving accident
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