Vancouver woman attacked, badly hurt in Mexico

Editor’s Warning: This story contains graphic images and details which may be disturbing to some readers.

What was supposed to be a relaxing week in Mexico has turned into a nightmare for a Vancouver woman after she was left with extensive facial injuries.

Jamie Coutts was on vacation when the trip took a violent turn, according to her friend’s Facebook post, which claims the pair were attacked by a Canadian man.

Coutts spoke with CityNews in March after she filmed herself being stalked by a stranger in Vancouver, the video went viral online and led to an arrest, but charges were stayed in court.  

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Her friend Genevieve Thomas says Coutts is now dealing with the fallout of another frightening incident which began when they were being harassed by a man at the resort.

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“He wouldn’t stop pestering one girl we were with no matter how many times she said she wasn’t interested. So Jamie and I stepped up and started telling him to go away, leave her alone,” the social media post reads in part.

Thomas says the man got angry and attacked them, “knocking me out for a minute, busting the back of my head open. then turned around and ran at Jamie who was 10ft away and got her square in the face, knocking her out for 5 minutes, breaking her nose in multiple places, busting open her face, and breaking one of her teeth.”

Pictures of Coutts accompany the post, showing extensive facial injuries including damage to her eyes, a large gash, and a broken nose.

An online fundraiser has been set up to assist in the hospital costs for Coutts, who can’t fly out of Mexico until she has recovered.

Her friend was also hurt but her injuries are minor, according to the social media posts.

A photo of an injured Jamie Coutts taken in a Mexico hospital room.

The Vancouver woman did not have travel insurance and needs emergency surgery on her nose as “it’s completely collapsed,” the GoFundMe reads.

The fundraiser has raised more than $20,000 as of Wednesday morning.

Global Affairs Canada says consular officials are aware that two Canadian citizens were victims of an assault in Playa del Carmen and another Canadian has been detained.

“Consular officials in Mexico are in contact with the individuals and are providing consular assistance. Due to privacy considerations, no further information can be provided,” Jason Kung, as a spokesperson from Global Affairs Canada said Wednesday.