Belgian-Moroccan tourist breaks his back in motorbike crash in northern Thailand

A Belgian-Moroccan tourist broke his back in a motorbike accident en route to a waterfall in the hippie backpacker town of Pai in Mae Hong Son province, northern Thailand, yesterday.

Issam Messaoudi and his friend rented a motorbike and headed to Mor Paeng Waterfall when they lost control and came off the steep and slippery road. Messauodi’s friend came out of the accident unscathed.

Rescue workers put Messaoudi on a stretcher and took him to Pai Hospital, where X-rays revealed that he broke his back.

Doctors at the small, ill-equipped hospital decided to send Messaoudi on an agonising, winding journey to Bangkok Hospital in Chiang Mai City for treatment.

Mor Paeng Waterfall, just 6 kilometres from Pai town, is a popular swimming spot by nature of its natural rock slide, clear water, and stunning views.

However, the 50-metre-high waterfall is notoriously…