A Toronto mother of two who fell off a cliff in Trinidad has returned home to receive treatment for her injuries, thanks to a successful crowdfunding effort.
An air ambulance with Elissa Antonio on board arrived in Toronto on Tuesday night, ending a two-week ordeal that started with a fall off a cliff while away on vacation.
Antonio had been out foraging for firewood late at night when she fell 12 metres off a ledge, shattering her pelvis and breaking her leg and sacrum. Local doctors said that they did not have the skill to operate on her, and Antonio didn't have travel insurance to cover the cost of an air ambulance to fly home.
But a GoFundMe campaign launched by Antonio's friend, Aubrey Clarke, raised approximately $60,000 to cover the cost of her return flight. And on Tuesday night, it landed at Pearson International Airport with Antonio on board.
Clarke said the successful GoFundMe campaign shows "humanity at its best."
"I have to say that Canada is awesome," he told CTV Toronto on Tuesday.
Antonio's best friend, Carol Davis, says she was thrilled to welcome her friend home.
"I cried all day today when I knew she was on her way here," Davis told CTV Toronto.
Antonio's two teenaged daughters were reunited with her at the hospital. They were not on the trip to Trinidad.
Antonio said, earlier this week, that she is very thankful for the support. She also said it was a mistake not to get travel insurance.
"This has taught me a valuable lesson because you never know what can happen," she said at the time.
With files from CTV Toronto
