‘So scared’: Melbourne horse trainer suffers stroke after battling Bali belly

A Melbourne horse trainer has suffered a stroke during a family holiday after being struck down with Bali belly.

A Melbourne horse trainer has suffered a stroke after he was struck down with Bali belly during a family holiday.

Mathew Ellerton, who has worked in the racing industry for 20 years, fell ill and became bedridden while vacationing with his wife Leah and their son in Indonesia.

Ms Ellerton told the Daily Mail she believed her 51-year-old husband was so dehydrated, a blood clot formed in his brain, ultimately causing a stroke.

She said the terrifying ordeal started when Mr Ellerton collapsed into a chair and broke out in a sweat.

“I had to carry him back into the hotel room and then run and get a doctor,” she told the publication.

“I knew that was something very wrong when I got him inside and his face dropped. I was so scared but it was all just a blur.”

Trainer Mathew Ellerton was holidaying with his family when he was rushed to hospital. Picture: AP Image/George Salpigtidis

The trainer was rushed to hospital and underwent a thrombectomy to clear the blood clot.

He was flown back to Melbourne on Sunday and is currently recovering at The Royal Melbourne Hospital.

“He’s doing amazing,” Ms Ellerton said.

“He’s talking and he’s started walking, it was just his left arm that was affected.”

It is not clear whether traveller’s diarrhoea or Bali belly caused the incident.

One Australian doctor, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Daily Mail “it’s hard to dispute the two events were linked in some way”.

However, the doctor said it was “difficult to think of a plausible connection between the two”.

Mathew Ellerton (left) is currently recovering at The Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Before the incident, Mr Ellerton was taking medication to treat his high blood pressure but otherwise appeared healthy.

Mr Ellerton has travel insurance and his wife said she was able to move around funds to cover the hospital bills, which are expected to cost more than $50,000.

The racing community has also rallied around the family, and over $90,000 has been donated to a GoFundMe page to support the family.

According to the Daily Mail, it’s understood the Australian Trainers’ Association is working with Racing Victoria to help his family cover some of the medical bills.

Bali belly

It comes as 19-year-old is currently being treated at The Royal Melbourne Hospital after a bad case of “Bali belly” triggered seizures and saw her placed in a medically induced coma.

Julia Barresi had been feeling unwell for several days while on holiday with friends on the Indonesian island.

She was rushed to hospital when she started suffering seizures and was flown home to Australia.

Ms Barresi was rushed to intensive care.

Australian doctor and founder of Femma, Emma Rees, said Bali belly is caused by ingesting bacteria from contaminated food or water and can last up to five days.

“You might experience diarrhoea, abdominal pains, hot and cold sweats and aching joints,” Dr Rees recently told news.com.au.

“Headaches are also possible symptoms and these can indicate dehydration which is the main clinical risk of travellers diarrhoea.”

Dr Rees said when in countries where traveller’s diarrhoea is very common – such as in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia – make sure you are drinking water that is filtered, boiled or bottled.

“Avoid ice as this can be made from contaminated water, likewise salad and fruit may have been washed in contaminated water,” she said.

“If you can, rewash such items in bottled or filtered water. Avoid buffets with food sitting out in temperate conditions as food may warm up to a temperature optimal for bacteria to replicate. Ensure you are eating and drinking at reputable establishments.”