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Aussie mum's warning to Bali tourists after terrifying experience

A Melbourne woman has issued a warning to holidaymakers in Bali after she was the victim of a failed bag snatch by a knife-wielding thief.

Heather Woods was heading home after dinner with her husband and teenage son in Seminyak earlier this month when she was dragged to the floor while crossing the road.

A thief on a scooter had made an unsuccessful attempt to steal her bag, badly injuring the 48-year-old mother in the process.

"I just felt someone yank me and obviously I screamed and everyone came running, and then I was flying through the air and landing on the road," she told Nine News.

Heather Woods with the bag the thief tried to snatch. Source: Nine News
Heather Woods with the bag the thief tried to snatch. Source: Nine News

Local and foreign bystanders rushed to her aid as she lay in a heap on the side of the road, with the perpetrator long gone.

Ms Woods suffered a broken pelvis and was left with a deep knife wound to her elbow.

She required 10 stitches to seal the gash.

Ms Woods remained in a Balinese hospital for five days before she was flown to Perth via air ambulance.

Ms Woods lying at the side of the road (left) and the deep cut she suffered to her arm (right). Source: Nine News
Ms Woods lying at the side of the road (left) and the deep cut she suffered to her arm (right). Source: Nine News

While she wants to use her incident to warn others to remain vigilant on the holiday island, she said it’s also a poignant reminder of the importance of getting travel insurance.

Ms Woods was insured, with her insurance company covering the cost of her $70,000 medical bills.

“I’ve heard of it happening to people but you don’t think it will happen to you,” she said.

Earlier this month, a Cairns man was not so lucky when he was seriously injured a week before his wedding.

His insurance didn’t cover his medical costs because he didn’t have the required international driver’s licence.

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