A Western Australian grandmother is facing a difficult recovery in Indonesia after a serious fall during a holiday in Bali left her with multiple fractures to both legs. Her family is now trying to arrange her return to Australia while managing medical expenses that could reach $100,000.

Estelle Ravenscroft, 79, from Busselton, was holidaying with her husband, Keith, when she fell down a staircase at a restaurant. According to her family, the staircase did not have handrails. The fall caused multiple fractures to both legs and required urgent medical treatment.

Ravenscroft was admitted to a hospital in Bali, where she underwent a nine-hour operation. Her husband said she had survived the surgery, although she continued to experience breathing difficulties and complications requiring blood transfusions.

The incident has been particularly distressing because the family does not have travel insurance covering the emergency. Her husband explained that obtaining suitable travel insurance had become increasingly difficult as they grew older.

The family is now confronting the high cost of hospital treatment and transporting a seriously injured patient back to Australia. Medical repatriation can require specialist arrangements, including medical clearance, appropriate transport and staff capable of providing care throughout the journey.

The total cost could reach approximately $100,000, according to the ABC report. The final amount will depend on the treatment required and the arrangements needed to bring Ravenscroft home safely.

Her relatives have appealed to the public for financial assistance through an online fundraising campaign. They say the expenses are far beyond what they had expected to face during an overseas holiday.

The situation has also prompted discussion about travel insurance for older Australians. Insurance policies can differ substantially in their age limits, exclusions, premiums and treatment of pre-existing medical conditions. Some travellers discover that comprehensive cover is difficult or expensive to obtain, while others may mistakenly believe their existing policy covers every emergency.

National Seniors Australia chief executive Chris Grice urged older travellers to investigate their options carefully before departing. He said people who have difficulty obtaining suitable cover online should consider contacting insurers directly to discuss their circumstances and available policies.

The Insurance Council of Australia also highlighted the financial consequences of an overseas medical emergency, noting that evacuation, hospital treatment and repatriation can cost considerably more than a travel insurance premium.

Australia does not have a reciprocal public-healthcare agreement with Indonesia that would cover the family's emergency expenses in the same way as certain arrangements available in other countries. As a result, overseas medical costs can place a substantial burden on travellers without suitable insurance.

For Ravenscroft's family, the immediate priority is her recovery and arranging a safe journey home. Her experience has also become a warning about the financial risks of travelling without adequate medical cover, particularly for older people who may have difficulty finding a policy that meets their needs.

The case highlights the importance of checking insurance exclusions, emergency medical limits and repatriation provisions before travelling internationally. It also demonstrates how quickly an ordinary holiday can become a serious medical and financial crisis.