Painful but funny mishap delays doctor's trip home

Luckily for Kate Murran she will still be getting back to Ireland, even though it will a few weeks later than planned.

The Irish doctor had hoped to leave New Zealand in three weeks and head back home but since breaking her humerus she has to wait at least five more.

She broke the bone after falling out of a bunk bed at Sunrise Hut in the early hours of Thursday.

Friend and flatmate Caitlin O'Rourke said her fall was all part of their masterplan to keep her longer.

"It was a mild conspiracy theory," Miss O' Rourke said.

Dr Murran and fellow doctor Minnie Monteith said the trek to Sunrise Hut was still a beautiful sight, walking knee-deep in snow in some parts.

"It was quite lucky someone had gone before us so we had a path to follow, as on the side of the trail the snow was up to our hips," Dr Murran said.

It was about 2.30am when Dr Murran woke in her top bunk, stepping out to go to the loo and forgetting she was a few metres above the ground. "I stepped my leg over the bunk and next thing you know I was falling, so I tried to put my right arm out to stop myself."

She said she knew instantly she had at least fractured her arm, because she heard the crack.

Luckily the pair could put their medical knowledge to good use, creating a temporary sling with a spare jumper.

"It was a bit of a waiting game until the helicopter arrived," said Dr Murran.

"I kept telling myself how I would not be moving back to Ireland in three weeks and I also thought of every possible diagnosis they could have given me."

Dr Murran said the helicopter staff were exceptional and had made her experience much more bearable.

"They picked us both up and even dropped Minnie at our car with our packs, which made everything much easier," she said.

Dr Murran has had a lot of support from family and friends, who were happy she was recovering but find her path to stardom rather amusing.

"I think it is because I am prone to this sort of thing," she said.

Many saw the snow on Facebook and assumed it was a skiing accident but they managed to laugh when they heard sleep was the extreme activity.

Dr Murran said she could not thank people enough for the treatment she received in the helicopter and at the hospital.

"From the helicopter staff to my flatmates, everyone was willing to help and it is a lovely feeling."

Dr Murran said it was a "painful but hilarious experience" and she was happy to say it had finally been ticked off the bucket list.