Aussie man’s family reveal cost of Fiji holiday nightmare

A Victorian man left in a coma after being stabbed in Fiji are facing an enormous medical bill.

A Victorian man left fighting for life after a mystery attack on a Fiji holiday is back home, as his family reveal the enormous cost of his medical bills.

Clayton Brett’s nightmare has also captured the attention of politicians on the island nation, who have blamed economic management for increased crime rates.

Mr Brett presented to a Fijian hospital with a stab wound and was placed in an induced coma before contracting a life-threatening infection.

He suffered from septic shock, with his family making the dash overseas and organising a Medevac flight to Melbourne.

Clayton Brett was in intensive care in Fiji. Picture: Supplied

The family did not know what had happened to the Altona man until they began calling around hospitals when Mr Brett failed to return home to Melbourne.

His father, Terry Brett, told 7 News it had been “a very difficult situation for our family to put up with”.

“The worry was for us that if we didn’t get him home then, we possibly wouldn’t get him home,” he said.

The flight cost more than $140,000, and fees for his hospital treatment total $80,000.

“Any person that goes overseas and doesn’t have travel insurance is silly,” Terry Brett said.

Fijian MP Rinesh Sharma used Mr Brett’s case to highlight what we described as heightened crime rates due to cost-of-living hikes.

“While we urge the Fiji Police Force to increase their presence in towns, cities and communities … we urge every Fijian to take caution in public spaces and secure their premises,” he said.

Clayton Brett has been flown back to Melbourne. Picture: Supplied

A GoFundMe campaign created by Clayton Brett’s stepbrother Matthew Davis, has raised almost $22,000 so far.

He now requires dialysis, as his kidneys are failing, but the hospital in Fiji did not have a functioning dialysis machine.

“During Clayton’s recent visit to Fiji he became extremely unwell leading to septic shock after presenting to a local Fijian hospital with an alleged stab wound and is now in an induced coma in a critical condition in the intensive care unit of the local Fijian hospital,” Mr Davis wrote.

Clayton Brett’s family say travelling without insurance is “silly”. Picture: Supplied

“Upon hearing this news Terry and Jenny were on the next flight to Fiji where they have remained by Clayton’s side in ICU however, he remains in a critical condition despite the 24 hour intensive care and treatment he is receiving.

“Unfortunately Clayton now requires dialysis as his kidneys are failing and the hospital doesn’t have a functioning dialysis machine for him to receive this crucial intervention.

“After lengthy discussions with the intensivist’s regarding ongoing management Terry and Jenny have made the crucial decision to medevac Clayton back to Australia where he can receive the necessary life saving interventions he requires to survive.”

Mr Davis said all funds raised would go towards financially supporting Clayton’s parents.

Originally published as Aussie man’s family reveal cost of Fiji holiday nightmare