Image of Samantha Lee posted by Olivia Leoni on gofundme.com Image of Samantha Lee posted by Olivia Leoni on gofundme.com

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) -- An American aerialist is in dire need of a swift medical evacuation to Taipei after plummeting 13 feet and shattering her neck in multiple places while performing aerial hoop on stage in Bali, Indonesia.

On Oct. 26, Samantha Lee, 28, who goes by the stage name "Sam Panda," was in the midst of a performance of aerial hoop in front of an audience at Finn’s Beach Club in Canggu, Bali when the cable supporting her apparatus suddenly and inexplicably released, causing her to hurtle straight for the hard, concrete stage. As she was in an inverted position at the moment the cable gave way, she landed head first, causing multiple injuries to her neck.

When she arrived at the hospital, doctors discovered that she suffered a broken C5 vertebrae, as well as two burst discs between C5 and C6 and C6 and C7. She also has spinal cord damage and a shard of bone lodged in her spinal cord which is preventing her from walking. She also received eight stitches on her head for lacerations to her scalp.



The moment Lee's head impacted on the concrete stage.

Though Lee is conscious and able to move her limbs, she is currently not able to walk, and there are concerns by the doctors that she could suffer a permanent disability if she is not immediately sent to Taiwan to receive the necessary surgery to repair her neck. The more time that goes by without a medical evacuation, the more swelling occurs which could inflict irreversible damage.

Despite the fact that Lee has a work permit and was fully insured by her employers, her employer’s insurance will not pay for the urgent medical evacuation. International SOS, a medical travel assistance firm, told her representatives that it would cost US$40,000 to transport her from Bali to Taipei.

Lee's friends and family have set up a GoFundMe site to try to raise the funds to cover her flight to Taipei. Once she makes it to Taiwan, her insurance will cover the cost of the surgery.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Lee is a professional acrobat, contortionist, circus performer, dancer, fire breather and fire eater. She has been an aerialist and circus performer for approximately 10 years.

In 2012, after completing her studies at Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach, SC, Lee moved to Taiwan. Later that year, she began dating a Taiwanese man who she eventually married in 2015.

Friend Olivia Leonie told the Daily Mail that prior to the performance Lee had expressed concerns about the safety of the equipment at this particular venue. "She had said a few times before that she didn't feel comfortable using the equipment, that it wasn't safe. Her employers had an outside company in to check it was all safe and secure," said Leonie.

For those wishing to make a contribution to her medical evacuation, please visit her GoFundMe site.



Lee in hospital after accident. (Image from Sam Panda Facebook page)

The following is video of Lee's injury. Warning! This video is graphic and may be disturbing to some viewers.



On Nov. 3 Lee posted the above image on her Facebook page expressing her determination to return to her art in a message that closed by saying, "For now I am broken, but soon I will be strong."