An Edinburgh University student has been left with serious injuries after being attacked by a wild bison while hiking in America.
Mia Dean, who was due to start studying in the capital in September, has been left devastated after a month-long road trip ended in disaster.
Mia's parents, Jacqueline and Matthew have now set up a GoFundMe as the family face a huge medical and expenses bill while their daughter recovers in a hospital in South Dakota. Mia's parents say she was travelling with a friend and his wolf dog when the animal attacked her, with the bison's horn penetrating her leg.
The incident occurred on June 16 when the 19-year-old embarked on a month-long trip across the US. While out hiking in Custer State Park, South Dakota, they climbed a hill and came across the huge wild animal in the middle of their path. After appearing unbothered by their presence, the bison suddenly stopped grazing, looked up and charged towards Mia.
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The animal reportedly gorged Mia's leg and threw her up in the air. When she hit the ground, she was trapped and unable to move her injured leg. Mia's friend eventually managed to lead the bison away, although she sustained a completely severed femoral artery and severe damage to both her tibial and peroneal nerves.
Mia's parents, from Brockham, south east England, posted on GoFundMe saying: "We are beyond fortunate that our daughter is still breathing, as she should have bled out in two-to-eight minutes after the severed artery and the ambulance didn’t arrive for 20 minutes. It is a miracle that she is alive today.
"The staff at Rapid City Hospital have been like a second family and have done everything they can at this point, saving both Mia’s life and leg, performing a bypass of the femoral artery. However, as the artery and muscle damage is healing, Mia is still suffering from severe nerve pain, numbness and hypersensitivity, paralysis and limited mobility below the knee, being unable to walk without walking aids, and managing only about 20 yards.
"The initial tests alone cost around $8,000, not including transport, accommodation and other expenses, the later flights home, or any possible surgeries needed. We are therefore asking to raise money to allow Mia to receive at least the initial testing and possible surgery at Mayo clinic."
The family said that before she set off, Mia had accepted a place at Edinburgh University and was due to start in September 2022, having decided to take a year out to work, explore and travel. They said despite the significant setback and injuries sustained, she remains positive.
They added: "We have no idea why this happened to our little girl, and simply wish for her to be able to walk and dance again and live her life to the full, without chronic long-term pain."
The family say that although Mia's travel insurance has paid for the femoral artery bypass, they are refusing to pay for even the initial examination by the specialist of her nerve injury. They say that Mayo clinic, a world-class hospital in the peripheral nerve field, has accepted Mia as a referral from Rapid City Hospital, but the complications surrounding the injuries mean time is running out to undergo multiple tests and surgeries.
To donate to Mia and her family's fundraiser, you can do so here.
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