The oxygen levels plummeted first. For Corey Harrison, known to millions as “Big Hoss” on the reality television series Pawn Stars, the severe motorcycle accident materialized not just in the initial impact, but in the terrifying moments that followed in a Tulum residence when breathing became nearly impossible.
With his bank account depleted to its last few hundred dollars and medical bills climbing past $120,000, Harrison is now recovering from a near-fatal cascade of injuries that required multiple surgeries and a prolonged hospitalization in Mérida, Yucatán.
The financial and physical toll has prompted friends and family to launch a GoFundMe campaign, revealing a stark contrast between television fame and the devastating cost of a severe medical emergency abroad.
A Devastating Crash and Escalating Medical Costs
The incident occurred in early January when Harrison crashed his motorcycle in Tulum, Quintana Roo. The impact left him with a concussion, severe facial lacerations, and 11 fractured ribs.
He was initially treated at a local hospital in Tulum, enduring acute pain. He shared an update with his followers from his hospital bed, stating, “I’m pretty banged up but I’m good… Three nights in the hospital, eleven fractures in the rib cage.” The injuries notably forced him to miss the wedding of his father and Pawn Stars co-star, Rick Harrison.
Faced with rapidly escalating medical invoices, Harrison made the difficult decision to leave the Tulum hospital after approximately two weeks, opting to continue his recovery at a private rental in the coastal town. That decision nearly cost him his life.
The Crisis in Tulum and Rushed Transfer to Mérida
While resting at home, Harrison began experiencing excruciating, unmanageable pain. A doctor was immediately called to the residence, administering intravenous fluids and morphine, but the intervention failed to stabilize him.
His condition deteriorated rapidly. His blood oxygen levels dropped to dangerously low thresholds, triggering panic among his inner circle. Fearing the financial ruin of returning to the initial facility, Harrison allegedly told his friends, “I’m going to die here. I don’t have the money to keep paying these people.”
Recognizing the severity of the crisis, his friends orchestrated an urgent transfer to a hospital in Mérida, the capital of the neighboring state of Yucatán, where medical infrastructure is robust.
Upon arrival in Mérida, specialists discovered that a displaced fractured rib was actively compressing one of his lungs.
Extensive Surgeries and the Road to Rehabilitation
Medical teams in Mérida immediately commenced emergency interventions. Harrison underwent three distinct surgeries to address the internal damage. Surgeons placed temporary chest tubes, ultimately draining approximately three liters of accumulated blood from his thoracic cavity.
He remained hospitalized in Mérida for an additional 18 days under close medical supervision before doctors cleared him to return to Tulum to continue a slow and painful rehabilitation process.
Currently, his physical condition prevents him from traveling back to the United States or resuming any normal daily activities.
The Financial Reality Behind the Television Persona
Despite his international recognition as a television personality, the financial reality of the accident has been devastating. The cumulative medical debt currently exceeds $120,000.
Harrison depleted his personal savings and relied heavily on loans from family and friends, including financial support from his father, Rick Harrison, to cover the immediate intensive care costs. Reports suggest that he currently owes several months of rent and possesses less than $400 in his active bank accounts.
To bridge the substantial financial gap, an associate named Aaron launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist with the insurmountable medical debts and ongoing rehabilitation expenses. The campaign has generated nearly $6,900 thus far.
While Harrison has acknowledged his profound discomfort with asking for public assistance, the severity of his circumstances left him with no alternative. His focus now remains fully fixed on surviving the grueling rehabilitation process in Mexico, hoping to eventually regain enough strength to return home.