Australian man reveals he wasn’t mugged in Bali despite receiving $24,000 for medical bills

An Australian man has revealed the truth behind his injuries after it was claimed he was “bashed” in Bali and he raked in $24,000 in donations.

A Perth man has had to issue a grovelling video after he had more than $24,000 donated towards his medical bills by people who believed he was severely injured after being “mugged” in Bali.

Earlier this month, Lachie Hunt was hospitalised with severe injuries following an incident while on holiday in the tourist hotspot of Kuta.

The 22-year-old had to spend six days in Kuta’s BIMC Hospital after suffering a broken leg, brain bleed and suspected fractured spine.

A GoFundMe page set up by Hunt’s friend, Jarrad Visser, claimed he had been “mugged” and “bashed pretty good”.

Visser noted the Perth man “couldn’t remember much” and that his mum had flown over to Bali to be with him.

He claimed the care Hunt was receiving was “so bloody expensive” and asked people to “dig deep” in order to help out with his medical bills.

The GoFundMe has raised more than $24,000. Picture: GoFundMe

Since the GoFundMe was created on January 12, more than $24,000 has been donated.

But now, Bali Police have revealed that Hunt wasn’t mugged at all, in fact, his injuries are the result of falling off a motorbike after a night out drinking.

Local authorities have now released a video – first shared by Asian media outlet Coconuts – showing Hunt reading a pre-prepared script in which he blames the Australian media for “twisting” the story, despite the claims being spelled out on the GoFundMe page set up by his friend.

“I had an incident in Bali due to falling from a motorcycle. I had lost my memory for two days due to concussion, I was in hospital for six days due to the injuries that I suffered from,” Hunt said in the video while donning a neck brace.

He claims he was approached by “many Australian media outlets” who offered for him to make a statement, but he declined.

“Bali is my second home and I did not want to put a bad name on Bali,” he said.

“The Australian media articles that went viral were all incorrect and twisted. This happened due to me not making any statements to the Australian media.

“The reason the GoFundMe was made, was for friends and family to help pay the hospital bill.”

Lachie Hunt was filmed by Bali Police reading a statement from a piece of paper.

He claimed the Australian media had ‘twisted’ his story.

The 22-year-old said he “in no way have any intention” for his story to go viral and “be taken over by the Australian media”.

Bali Police head of public relations, Stefanus Satake Bayu, told Coconuts that eyewitness testimonies revealed Hunt was severely inebriated while driving a motorbike in Kuta at around 4am.

He allegedly fell after losing control of the bike when going over a speed bump, losing consciousness for 30 minutes before waking up and walking away with blood all over his face.

Bayu told the publication that when Hunt was questioned by police, he confirmed he had been out drinking with his friends and when driving home at 3.30pm his phone fell onto the road.

He reportedly claimed that when he stopped to retrieve it he felt somebody push him from behind, resulting in a nasty fall and subsequent injuries.

The publication claimed no charges have been brought against the Australian.

At the time of publishing this article, the GoFundMe page for Hunt is still live, with the same description claiming the young man was “mugged and bashed”.

The option is still there to donate, with the last donation being only made a day ago.

The page even shows an update was posted yesterday by his mother, Melissa Hunt, in which she thanks everyone for their “support through this chaotic journey”.

“All of your generous donations have been a big help. Mel, Lachie & family. Xx” the update said.

News.com.au has contacted GoFundMe for comment.

Lachie enjoying a cocktail during a previous visit to Bali. Picture: Instagram

Hunt’s social media shows he is a big fan of Bali, having travelled to the popular tourist destination several times over the past few years.

In a post from October last year, the Perth man revealed his hopes of moving to Bali permanently.

“One day I’ll get to call this place home,” he wrote along a snap of himself walking the streets of Kuta.

Another photo showed him enjoying the sunshine while at a luxurious resort pool.

“Best time away with the best company,” he wrote.

Lachie also shared a snap from a few years ago sipping on a cocktail while at Seminyak’s popular Mrs Sippy pool club.

“Miss this place already,’” he wrote.