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Mum dies in Bali just days after family are given all-clear to bring her home

A New Zealand mother has died in a Bali hospital just days after her family were given the all-clear to bring her home through a medical evacuation.

On August 1, Abby and Richard Hartley arrived in Bali for their second honeymoon, in what was their first getaway without their two children, Sophie and Toby.

The 41-year-old had just finished Facetiming her children when she was overcome with crippling pain and rushed to the closest hospital, where scans revealed a twist in her bowel.

Surgeons successfully removed the section of the bowel but 48 hours later she suffered acute respiratory distress syndrome, that left her fighting for life in Nusa Dua hospital’s intensive care unit.

Abby Hartley in hospital with her daughter Sophie, husband Richard and son Toby. Source: Give a Little
Abby Hartley in hospital with her daughter Sophie, husband Richard and son Toby. Source: Give a Little

After the insurance company refused to cover their medical bills, which soared past $100,000, her daughter started a crowdfunding page to try and have her rushed back to New Zealand via medical evacuation.

But just before 9am Sunday, Ms Hartley passed away with her husband and son by her side.

“Mum is at peace now and we are extremely grateful for the many years of joy and love mum brought us,” the family said in a statement on their crowdfunding page.

“We did everything we could and had to do to help mum fight and get her home.

“We have no bad feelings towards the government and we understand their decision to not assist us with getting mum home.

The Hartley family from Hamilton, from left: Richard, Abby, Sophie and Toby. Source: Facebook/Abby Hartley
The Hartley family from Hamilton, from left: Richard, Abby, Sophie and Toby. Source: Facebook/Abby Hartley

The family had successfully raised $218,000 (NZD$237,000) and were in the final stages of preparing the medevac. On September 7, Sophie Hartley said that her mum had been cleared to fly after passing her final stool test.

Last week National Party leader Simon Bridges revealed he was contacted by a group of concerned New Zealanders who coughed up another $156,000 to fly Ms Hartley home.

Mr Bridges said the plane had been paid for and Ms Hartley could return to New Zealand with her husband when she was in a stable enough condition.

Ms Hartley had been suffering from a condition known as respiratory distress syndrome and was placed in an induced coma on August 15.

The Hartley family have requested privacy as they grieve their loss.