Hospital move for Doncaster woman who sustained serious brain injuries in freak gas canister accident

As friends and family pray for her recovery, a young Doncaster woman who sustained serious brain injuries in a freak accident abroad has been moved to a new hospital in Greece.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Aug 2016, 11:00 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 19:49 BST
Laurie Jay Balfour, 24, from Doncaster is in a critical condition in Greece after a 15 stone gas cannister fell on her face at a bar in the popular tourist spot. See Ross Parry story RPYCRUSH : A British holidaymaker is fighting for her life in Greece after a 15 stone gas cannister fell on her while she was dancing- covering her in so much blood it looked like in a murder scene. Laurie Jay Balfour, 24, was just two days into a holiday to Zante with friends when the nitrogen cannister, that was perched on the bar nearby, fell onto her face. Laurie, of Edlington, Doncaster, South Yorks., was then airlifted to a hospital in Athens by an army jet following the horrific incident on August 3. Medics performed emergency brain surgery to save her life in the early hours of the morning and Laurie is currently in a coma.Laurie Jay Balfour, 24, from Doncaster is in a critical condition in Greece after a 15 stone gas cannister fell on her face at a bar in the popular tourist spot. See Ross Parry story RPYCRUSH : A British holidaymaker is fighting for her life in Greece after a 15 stone gas cannister fell on her while she was dancing- covering her in so much blood it looked like in a murder scene. Laurie Jay Balfour, 24, was just two days into a holiday to Zante with friends when the nitrogen cannister, that was perched on the bar nearby, fell onto her face. Laurie, of Edlington, Doncaster, South Yorks., was then airlifted to a hospital in Athens by an army jet following the horrific incident on August 3. Medics performed emergency brain surgery to save her life in the early hours of the morning and Laurie is currently in a coma.
Laurie Jay Balfour, 24, from Doncaster is in a critical condition in Greece after a 15 stone gas cannister fell on her face at a bar in the popular tourist spot. See Ross Parry story RPYCRUSH : A British holidaymaker is fighting for her life in Greece after a 15 stone gas cannister fell on her while she was dancing- covering her in so much blood it looked like in a murder scene. Laurie Jay Balfour, 24, was just two days into a holiday to Zante with friends when the nitrogen cannister, that was perched on the bar nearby, fell onto her face. Laurie, of Edlington, Doncaster, South Yorks., was then airlifted to a hospital in Athens by an army jet following the horrific incident on August 3. Medics performed emergency brain surgery to save her life in the early hours of the morning and Laurie is currently in a coma.

Laurie Jay Balfour sustained life changing injuries when a 15 stone gas cannister fell on her as she was ‘dancing the night away’ in a bar in Zante during a girls holiday.

Shortly after the 24-year-old’s accident on August 3, she was airlifted to a hospital in Athens for emergency brain surgery, and she has been in a coma fighting for her life.

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Laurie, who works at Polypipe along with her mum Deana, has now been transferred to a new hospital, with her friends and family hoping the move could mark the beginning of her journey back to health.

Speaking on social media, Laurie’s dad Philip said: “We have seen Laurie and she is stable.

“They are taking her to Athens to give her a scan and if she needs the procedure they will do it there and then. They will also bring her back the same day.”

A fundraising group has been set up to help pay for the cost of Laurie’s treatment and everything she may need during the course of her recovery which has raised over £9,000 already.

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Among those who have contributed to the fundraising is Gary ‘Gaz’ Beadle from Geordie Shore who has offered to pay for Lauries’ parents accommodation during the time they are in Greece.

Speaking on Facebook he said: “Ok so I just heard the horrible story of what has happened to Laurie Balfour in Zante!!
“And it’s so sad she is currently in hospital in Athens in a coma I know some of her family have flew out to see her but are struggling with funds etc to stay out there
“I’ll do anything to help and tell the Mam and dad I’ll cover there hotel as long as they need to stay with her.”
Dapper Laughs, who is one of Laurie’s favourite comedians, has also pledged £500 to the fundraising appeal after being contacted by Laurie’s friend, Nikki Hutchinson.