My brother was mugged and beaten - Ugh

[themilesfamily]

My brother and two of his co-workers were on vacation in Costa Rica last weekend. He was walking from his hotel to a restaurant down the street when a gang of men jumped out and attacked him. They kicked him in the knees, beat him in the face and head, and they were choking him when he passed out.

They stole $200 and his passport. He said that the Costa Ricans who helped him were just wonderful. They sent two doctors to his hotel room to stitch up his face. The people at the embassy were also helpful and got him the documents he needed to get out of the country.

He's going in for an MRI tomorrow. They are concerned about his eyesight and head and brain injuries.

He's really depressed right now and just feels so down about this. I am, too. I feel sad that this happened to him.

 

[Rora]

How terrible!!! I am sending good thoughts and well wishes your way. Glad he isn't hurt worse than he is.

 

[cheermom1]

Oh my so sorry about your bother I hope he is ok (((good thoughts)))

 

[Deb in IA]

Oh, I am so sorry to hear this. What a terrible thing, especially when you are supposed to be having a great time on vacation!

My parents were mugged in Rome on vacation. A guy tried to cut their purse and camera straps with a knife. My parents reached up to try to hang on to their stuff, and ended up with their hands and fingers slashed to the bone. They had to go to the hospital and had surgery. None of the doctors or nurses could speak English, and my parents could not speak Italian. They were on a tour, and fortunately, their tour guide went with them and helped to translate.

Hope he gets better and gets home OK.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I am so sorry to hear about your brother being attacked. That is just awful. I want to wish him a speedy recovery. Thankfully he is back home and safe and can now heal both physically and emotionally. All the best!

 

[minniecarousel]

ug! Getting mugged has to be horrific, but being mugged while on vcation has to be even worse. I hope he makes a full recovery.

 

[minkydog]

OMG And Costa Rica is considered to be one of the more stable countries in Central America. I hope your brother will be alright and no permanent injuries.

 

[iwrbnd]

Oh, I am so sorry to hear this. What a terrible thing, especially when you are supposed to be having a great time on vacation!

My parents were mugged in Rome on vacation. A guy tried to cut their purse and camera straps with a knife. My parents reached up to try to hang on to their stuff, and ended up with their hands and fingers slashed to the bone. They had to go to the hospital and had surgery. None of the doctors or nurses could speak English, and my parents could not speak Italian. They were on a tour, and fortunately, their tour guide went with them and helped to translate.

Hope he gets better and gets home OK.

They tried to do this to us in Mexico, too!

 

[KristaTX]

That's terrible . I'm so sorry for your brother. At least he survived, though.

I don't understand how there can be so many people in the world who do things like that .

 

[4nana]

I'm sorry, how awful for your poor brother . Sending positive thoughts and prayers he has a successful and complete recovery.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I'm so sorry this happened to your brother, that's absolutely terrible!

 

[klacey1]

That's horrible!! I hope everything is okay with him!
My brother was mugged in Boston when he was going to college-- 10:00 a.m. on a Tuesday (I'll never forget that) in a very residential neighborhood. They were younger kids and just kind of grabbed him and said "empty your pockets." He had no cash on him, so they dropped him to the ground and ran away-- didn't take his phone or CC's. He was physically fine but was really shaken up about it for awhile. I wish your brother a speedy recovery!!

 

[cm8]

sorry to learn of what happened to your brother and his friends,Hope they are all doing better!

 

[sasywtch]

I am so sorry to hear this. My best for a speedy recovery

 

[themilesfamily]

Thanks everybody!!

I am just so glad he's alive. I can't imagine getting a call saying he'd been beaten to death. And I'm so thankful we didn't get that call.

The people who attacked him certainly meant business. I've just read that Australia has issued a travel advisory for Costa Rica due to this very crime -- they called it "gang muggings."

But again, my brother said that the Costa Rican people were just wonderful and couldn't do enough to help him. I think it's more a matter of not walking alone, even if you're a strong, athletic, young man, like my brother. Don't let that give you a false sense of security because there's nothing you can do when confronted by 5 or 6 equally strong men.

Thanks again for everyone's support and well-wishes. It's sad that this stuff happens in the world.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I am so sorry. Sending good thoughts your way for your brother to get his issues resolved.

 

[Deb in IA]

Thanks everybody!!

But again, my brother said that the Costa Rican people were just wonderful and couldn't do enough to help him. I think it's more a matter of not walking alone, even if you're a strong, athletic, young man, like my brother. Don't let that give you a false sense of security because there's nothing you can do when confronted by 5 or 6 equally strong men.

Thanks again for everyone's support and well-wishes. It's sad that this stuff happens in the world.

Good words of advice.

I think that many people, when they are on vacation, may not be as vigilant as usual. That is only natural, as you are supposed to be carefree and having a good time, and unfortunately, there are some who will take advantage of that.

This is not meant to put any blame on your brother, by the way! Just something to keep in mind when you travel.