Safety Concerns Raised In Bali After 4-Year-Old Falls From Treehouse Fracturing Skull

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The family of 4-year-old Marigold ‘Goldie’ Jessie had been enjoying a vacation in Bali when the incident occurred.

The family had been staying in a villa with a treehouse on the property. As a result of the shock fall, Marigold experienced bleeding in the brain and needed emergency surgery in Bali in order to alleviate the pressure. She was then flown back to Adelaide to receive further life-saving treatment. 

The family has been fundraising to pay for Marigold’s hospital treatment, and support has been flowing in from friends, family, community members, and the wider public.

Marigold’s aunt, Sophie McInnerney, shared a positive update on her niece’s recovery in an update on the GoFundMe campaign, which has raised over AUD 62,000. 

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McInnerney wrote “On a recent family holiday to Bali, Marigold fell from a tree house at the villa we were staying at resulting in a fractured skull and bleeding on her brain. Marigold underwent surgery in Bali to alleviate pressure on her brain and has now been airlifted back to Australia where she remains in ICU in the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide.”

She added “Goldie has an incredible fighting (and feisty) spirit and is the bravest little soul we know, but she has a long road ahead to recovery. Lucky for Goldie, she has the most doting and dedicated parents in Nick and Carly who will be there holding her hand the whole way.”

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McInnerney added, “This experience has and will continue to take its toll on Nick and Carly on so many levels and they are going to need a lot of love and support to get through this.”

Concluding “Thank you everyone and please say your prayers for our darling Marigold Jessie, Nicholas, Carly, and Billie.”

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The shocking incident is a horrifying reminder to families to ensure that they have fully comprehensive travel insurance before flying to Bali and to understand what is and isn’t included in the cover.

The incident is also a call for Bali-based tourism businesses to ensure that safety standards are adhered to at all times.

Tourists visiting Bali have also been urged to prioritize their own safety after visitors have been injured or even died while taking what the authorities have reported to be undue risks. 

While Bali is one of the most family-friendly vacation destinations in the world, the longstanding issue of safety remains a concern.

In January 2025, a 3-year-old boy died by drowning while on vacation with his parents and extended family. The boy drowned in the pool in the private villa that the family had rented for the vacation. 

Tourism businesses in Bali are regularly called by government officials and the authorities to ensure that safety standards are adhered to as it is widely acknowledged that corners are often cut.

The Australian travel advice bureau, Smartraveler, has compressive safety advice for tourists visiting Indonesia, especially top destinations like Bali.

Smartraveler explains “Many businesses don’t follow safety and maintenance standards. This includes transport and tour operators, water sports providers, hotels, restaurants, and shops.” 

Smartraveler also advises extreme caution when engaging in adventure activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, rafting, surfing, and boat riding.

The travel advice bureau advises, “In the past, Australians have been seriously injured or died while participating in adventure activities. If you require intensive care medical treatment, emergency surgery, or medical evacuation. The Australian Government won’t pay for these costs.”