A California make-up artist, Nina Bakhshizadeh, is grappling with the aftermath of a terrifying accident that left her with serious injuries while on a birthday trip in Mexico. During a guided ATV tour in Cancun, she fell from a bridge, resulting in broken vertebrae in her neck and back.
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Bakhshizadeh was participating in the activity alongside her boyfriend and brother when the incident occurred. According to reports from ABC affiliate KABC-TV, the accident happened when her boyfriend’s ATV hit a wire, causing both riders to lose control and fall from the vehicle. Bakhshizadeh described her experience vividly, recalling that it felt reminiscent of dreams involving freefall where one wakes up just before impact. “Honestly, I thought I was going to wake up from a nightmare,” she reflected, conveying the shocking nature of the event.
Despite the severity of her ordeal, Bakhshizadeh remained conscious throughout. Although she was aware of her surroundings, she struggled to breathe after the fall knocked the wind out of her. “I kept waiting for that moment,” she explained, anticipating a recovery from what she hoped was merely a nightmare. Footage of the fall, obtained by PEOPLE, shows Bakhshizadeh and her phone plummeting from the bridge, landing several feet down while desperate shouts for her name filled the air.
Incredibly brisk in their response, her brother, boyfriend, and several bystanders carried her to safety, navigating back up to the main part of the park. They attempted to wait for an ambulance, but distressingly, it never arrived. Faced with this challenging situation, the group decided to load her into the back of a private vehicle and drove her an hour to the nearest hospital.
Upon arrival at PlayaMed Hospital, it was confirmed that Bakhshizadeh had sustained serious injuries and required immediate surgery. She was subsequently transferred to Hospital Azura, where she faced an unexpected hurdle: a $25,000 deposit was required before she could receive the necessary medical attention. With the support of family and friends, they managed to raise the funds, enabling her to undergo surgery roughly 28 hours after the accident.
Remarkably, Bakhshizadeh was discharged just four days later. However, the road to recovery remains uncertain as she currently resides at an Airbnb in Mexico, working out the logistics of her return home. “I don’t really have a plan yet,” she admitted, noting that the costs associated with medical flights were prohibitively expensive.
To help address her medical expenses and ongoing care, Bakhshizadeh has turned to crowdfunding, launching a GoFundMe campaign. So far, she has successfully raised over £50,000. This financial support will assist not only in her recovery but also in reimbursing those who contributed so significantly to her immediate care and support.
Despite the ongoing challenges of her situation, Bakhshizadeh expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming support she has received from her community. She noted, “I’m still emotionally processing everything, but every message, donation, and person checking in on me made me feel less alone. It reminded me there’s still so much humanity in the world.”
As she navigates this harrowing chapter in her life, Bakhshizadeh remains hopeful and resilient, reinforced by the kindness of those around her. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the strength found within a supportive community during times of crisis.