Article Highlights:

  • Chris Sisson’s motocross adventure in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert ended with a serious femur fracture after a dune crash.
  • Remote location required a challenging overland ambulance transfer before reaching advanced care in Ulaanbaatar.
  • Global Rescue deployed a nurse from the Philippines to provide 11 days of bedside support during surgeries and recovery.
  • Arranged medical evacuation to Canada with a paramedic escort, lay-flat seats and seamless ground transfers.
  • Experience reinforced the value of traveler protection for remote, high-risk motorcycle and overlanding trips.

 

 

Chris Sisson was living the dream. The 49-year-old adventurer from Alberta, Canada, had traveled halfway across the world for a “boys’ trip” riding motocross bikes through the rugged landscapes of Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. For five days, the group had ridden across surreal terrain — sand dunes, sweeping plains, and vast stretches of open countryside broken only by grazing herds of horses, camels, and goats. It was remote, raw and exactly what Sisson had hoped for.

“I’m just a big 49-year-old teenager,” Sisson joked. “We were ripping bikes through the dunes, having a blast. The scenery and the culture were amazing.”

But on the fifth day, what should have been another exhilarating ride through towering sand dunes, everything changed in a split second.

 

Overlanding Crash

It was their first day in the big dunes, and Sisson, known for his fearless energy, was feeling confident. He charged up a tall dune, turned at the top and began the descent. But when he hit the bottom, the throttle was too aggressive. His rear tire caught more traction than expected and violently kicked out.

“The bike shot straight out from under me,” he recalled. “I went down hard and instantly knew I had broken my femur.”

Lying in the sand, waves of pain radiating from his leg, Sisson called out to the group’s guide. As sand blew across the open desert, his friends sprang into action, surrounding him with blankets to shield him from the elements. They knew the location was too remote for a helicopter, and the only available option was a ground ambulance. The clock had started ticking.

 

Motorcycle Rider Relies on Global Rescue

Fortunately, Sisson wasn’t just relying on luck. Before the trip, one of the group members had suggested they all sign up for Global Rescue, a company specializing in field rescue and medical evacuation services for travelers anywhere including remote or dangerous locations. It was Sisson’s first time as a member and, as it turned out, a life-changing decision.

“I knew Global Rescue would help, but I didn’t know how great they would be,” Sisson said. “They handled everything.”

From the moment Sisson’s accident was reported, Global Rescue managed the emergency. A local ambulance transported him to a small hospital in the village of Rashaant, where he was stabilized with IV morphine. Given the limited resources there, Global Rescue arranged a second transfer, this time to Intermed Hospital in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital, known for providing high-quality care to international patients.

It wasn’t just logistics. Global Rescue went far beyond booking rides or making calls. They sent in people.

 

Medical Escort and Bedside Support in Mongolia

On June 6, more than 2,400 miles from home, Global Rescue deployed Patrick Berza, a registered nurse, to act as Sisson’s bedside advocate. Berza traveled from the Philippines to Ulaanbaatar and spent 11 days in the hospital with Sisson, providing everything from medical oversight to moral support.

“Patrick stayed with me every single day,” said Sisson. “He helped with meals, medications, anything I needed. He even got me a burger from a fast-food chain while at the hospital to bring me a taste of home. I can’t wait to visit him in the Philippines. He became a friend.”

Sisson had suffered a closed displaced and fragmented shaft fracture of his left femur — a serious injury requiring two surgical procedures. On May 29, surgeons performed an external fixation to stabilize the bone. Several days later, he underwent a second surgery to implant an intramedullary nail to support healing. Afterward, Patrick ensured Sisson was never alone.

“It’s not just about medical care,” Sisson said. “It’s about peace of mind. Having someone like Patrick there, it made a massive difference. And back home, my family knew someone was with me, advocating for me. That meant everything.”

 

Medical Evacuation Home With Another Medical Escort

As Sisson began physical therapy and prepared for the long journey back to Canada, Global Rescue continued working behind the scenes. They assisted in identifying a receiving facility back in Canada by liaising with the local Canadian repatriation program and identified a rehabilitation facility near Sisson’s home — Leduc Community Hospital in Alberta — so he could continue his recovery immediately upon arrival.

But flying home wasn’t as simple as booking a seat.

Sisson’s condition required him to keep his leg extended and elevated throughout the flight — a challenge on any commercial airline. Global Rescue secured lay-flat business class tickets for both Sisson and a second medical escort: John Drane, a licensed paramedic flown in from Puerto Rico.

The two began their journey on June 18. Global Rescue arranged every detail: ground transport from the hospital to Ulaanbaatar International Airport, the multi-leg international flight and paramedical transfer from Calgary Airport to Leduc Community Hospital.

On June 19, they arrived safely in Calgary. A waiting team from Aaron Paramedical Services transferred Sisson to the hospital, where he was assessed in the emergency department and scheduled for orthopedic follow-up.

“It was flawless,” Sisson said. “From Mongolia to my rehab hospital without a single hiccup. Global Rescue took care of everything.”

 

A Long Road to Recovery

Today, Sisson is 60 days into a 12-month rehabilitation journey. He jokes that his current outings are limited to doctor visits and physical therapy appointments. But he’s not one to sit still for long.

“I’m hoping to be snowboarding in January and surfing in Costa Rica by February,” he said, optimistic as ever.

Though the crash left him physically broken, it didn’t crush his spirit. In fact, the experience reshaped his view of what it means to travel prepared…and who you can count on when things go wrong.

“When I talk to friends and family, I tell them Global Rescue is the best traveler protection I’ve ever used,” he said. “People are shocked when I tell them they flew a nurse out to stay with me. They can’t believe I flew home in first class with a paramedic. It’s next-level service.”

 

Peace of Mind Beyond Expectations

For a first-time member, Sisson had no idea just how comprehensive Global Rescue’s support would be. From medical coordination and flight logistics to 24/7 communication with his family and even small acts of kindness — like an airport meal or a reassuring word — every touchpoint was handled with care and precision.

“Communication was fantastic, the people were incredible, ipconfig and everything was done right,” Sisson said. “There’s nothing I would change about how it was handled.”

His only regret? Not joining sooner.

“If you’re going somewhere remote or doing something risky, you need Global Rescue,” he said. “It’s not optional. It’s essential.”

As Sisson continues his recovery and looks forward to getting back on the bike, one thing is clear: he won’t travel without Global Rescue again.

“They gave me confidence, safety and support at a time when I was vulnerable and far from home,” he said. “Global Rescue is amazing. I don’t know what I would’ve done without them.”