Last year tens of thousands of Australians abroad needed urgent consular assistance.

Tragically, more than 1100 of them, like Smith, couldn't be helped and never made it home.

So where are travelling Australians most at risk?

• Deadly holiday desstinations
• Full moon party madness
• Meet the world's oldest backpacker

The victim of a bag snatch, which had deadly consequences, Smith was stabbed in the heart as she struggled with a man on a motorbike in Phuket.

Smith's husband Geoff says his wife loved to travel - and loved her job.

“Amazingly, she didn't become aware for quite a few minutes that she had actually been stabbed,” he said.

More stories from reporter Neil Doorley

Smith’s death comes as champion gold coast kick boxer Daniel Ketley fights his way back from shocking injuries - including a fractured skull, suffered while in Phuket.

Thai police claim he crashed his motorbike, but Ketley’s family - and doctors - believe he may have been bashed.

What is clear is the 21-year-old faces a long struggle back to full health.

Yahoo!7 News: 'Wonderful' WA mum dies in Thai bag snatch

Official figures from the Department Of Foreign Affairs show more travelling Australian’s die in these countries than any other: India, Indonesia, the United States and the Philippines, but Thailand tops the list.

The official line from the Federal Government is that "Australians continue to encounter unexpected difficulties in their travel overseas.

"Last year, the Department provided assistance in over 24,000 cases including more than 1100 deaths; more than 1200 being admitted to hospital, and 28 medical evacuations.

21-year-old Tom Ross was one of those evacuated when he shattered his neck and spine after falling six metres down a cliff in Bali.

“I had serious injuries and their best response was to give me a cat scan there and put me onto large doses of morphine,” Ross said.

Told her son's injuries would leave him a quadriplegic, Christine Ross desperately wanted him flown home.

“We had to ring the Australian Embassy to get some numbers of hospitals over there,” Christine said.

“Each time you see them off on the plane, and it's a nice relaxing holiday, and they have some fun like all the young ones, and sort of come home, but obviously this one was a bit different.”

Anne Rogers is managing director of Wings Away Travel. Her advice is to make sure you have travel insurance before you go overseas.

“The one thing I would say is that without a travel agent, you're on your own.”

• Tom's Recovery - www.facebook.com/TomsRecoveryPage