Australian mum with severe bacterial pneumonia fights for life in Italy

An Australian woman is fighting for her life in Italy after a dream trip took a sudden turn for the worst.

An Australian woman on a trip of a lifetime when she suddenly fell ill and is now in a coma fighting for her life.

Shelley Tinkler, from the South Coast in NSW, was travelling Italy on a cruise when things took a devastating turn.

“She got off a cruise ship and was feeling a bit unwell when all of a sudden she was really short of breath,” Ms Tinkler’s high school friend Shelley Navin told 7News.

The mother-of-one was rushed to hospital last week where she was placed in induced coma in the northeastern city of Cesena after doctors discovered she had severe bacterial pneumonia.

Ms Navin said tests revealed her friend had fluid in her lungs, and while she has shown some improvement, the road to recovery is still very long.

“Shelley has shown some improvement in the last 24hrs and the doctors in Italy have reduced her sedation,” she said in a GoFundMe to help raise money for Ms Tinkler’s medical costs.

“Shell has been responding to this well. She still has a long road ahead and now more than ever we need to keep her family with her. Shell is a fighter!”

Shelley Tinkler, from NSW, was on holiday in Italy when she suddenly fell ill – she is now fighting for her life after tests revealed she has severe bacterial pneumonia.

Ms Navin said all of their friends were excited for Ms Tinkler to go on the European adventure as she had endured a tough few years.

“Shelley lost her mum when we were quite young … and she’s been a single mum raising her own daughter,” Ms Navin told 7News.

“So she’s kind of had a few struggles in life.”

Ms Navin said the mother-of-one also moved to Queensland and started a new job just before her holiday and “everything was going great”.

But what happened in Italy has left Ms Tinkler’s friends “devastated”, prompting them to start a GoFundMe having already raised $28,916 to help with medical bills.

“Shell has a long road ahead and it is vital she has family with her at all times,” Ms Navin said on the page.

“We are hoping with your help and donations we can keep family with her and bring her home when the time comes!

Ms Navin described her friend as “the life of any party”.

“[She] lights up your life if you are lucky enough to know her. Shell is the type of person who puts everyone else before herself.

“There is no better person to have in your life. She is loved and cherished by so many and her family and friends are devastated by this news.”

Ms Navin said they are hopeful “each day makes her stronger and that she’ll be home with us soon”.

“Thank you so much for your support and generous donations!!”