Tragic Vacation Accident Leaves UA Student Fighting For Recovery
A GoFundMe account has been set up for University of Alabama student Matthew Polaski who is in a Miami hospital after suffering multiple injuries from a serious fall while on a family vacation in the Dominican Republic during the holidays. So far almost $218,000 have been raised toward the $250,000 goal to assist the family with mounting medical and other expenses.
Polaski was transported by international medical flight from the Dominican to Miami after doctors at a local hospital performed emergency surgery to relieve swelling on his brain and saved the life of the New Jersey native. Polaski also suffered a fractured pelvis and lower back vertebrae fractures in the fall that has not been detailed by family members.
Polaski is a freshman at UA and recently joined the Sigma Pi fraternity. According to the GoFundMe website, he remains in critical condition and has been placed in a medical coma to keep him stabilized.
The aspiring gymnast was on vacation with his parents, Michael and Stephanie, and younger brother, Evan when the injury occurred.
The GoFundMe account was setup by family friends Thomas Egan and John Clark who wrote, "The hospital in the Dominican Republic has already billed nearly $75,000. International medical transport costs alone are estimated between $35,000 and $55,000. Unfortunately, insurance provides very limited coverage for international medical care, and even with insurance, medical expenses in the U.S. add up quickly."
The University of Alabama issued a statement advising that staff have been in contact with the Polaski family to offer support for the family.
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