Australian professional surfer Dion Agius has revealed he is facing a $30,000 hospital bill following a snowboarding accident in Switzerland, after his travel insurance reportedly refused to cover the costs.
Agius was in Switzerland attending a snowboarding-themed art exhibition when he decided to hit the slopes himself. On his first day back on a snowboard after a four-year hiatus, Agius suffered a severe fall that resulted in a collapsed lung.
“Got a bit too excited to be finally snowboarding again after four years and got smoked catching a rail first day in and somehow managed to land on the iciest patch on the mountain straight on my chest,” Agius wrote in an Instagram post.
The injury left the 39-year-old surfer hospitalized for four days, during which he was connected to a medical breathing device. Though he has since been discharged and is recovering, the cost of treatment has left him with a significant financial burden.
“Maybe try not to go to hospital in Switzerland if you can avoid it,” Agius joked online. “Even though the treatment was five stars and [I ate] some tasty meals. Seems as though my travel insurance doesn’t want to cover it.”
In an effort to offset the unexpected medical expense, Agius announced he will be selling prints of artwork he created during his time in Switzerland. Interested buyers can contact him directly via Instagram.
The surfer also shared a reflective message for fans: “Moral of the story is always double check your insurance and don’t be a kook and land on your chest on the ice. Still so stoked [to] heal up enough to get out and to check out some amazing Switzerland scenery and be a little part of the epic show with a great crew.”
Agius, known for blending surf culture with artistic expression, has not indicated how long his recovery will take or when he will return to the waves.