During the recent Miss Universe 2025 preliminary round, an incident occurred involving Miss Jamaica. Dr. Gabrielle Henry. She had an accident where she fell from the stage during the competition, resulting in severe injuries including brain hemorrhage and loss of consciousness. Plans were made to send her back to her home country for further treatment.
Recently, I met Nawat IsraKraisil. He attended the 2025 Thailand Headlines Person of the Year event at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC LIVE) and gave an interview to the media about the case of Miss Universe Jamaica 2025, Dr. Gabrielle Henry, who suffered a fall during the competition.
She has already returned home. The medical expenses exceeded 2 million baht because she was well cared for, treated fully at a renowned private hospital. She was transferred from the initial emergency hospital near IMPACT to a hospital on New Phetchaburi Road and returned about five days ago.
Doctors and nurses were arranged to accompany her on the flight back to Jamaica, as requested by the patient. Judging by her condition, she was able to eat normally and everything seemed fine. She mentioned feeling some occasional dizziness, but it was not expected to be a major problem. She should be able to live normally.
There was news suggesting she was in a coma?
When she left here, I did not see her off personally, but I checked with the Universe organization. She was eating and living normally. Normally, a comatose patient cannot board a plane. She might not have been fully recovered but was conscious and communicative. The flight was a standard commercial one that meets safety standards to allow normal passengers onboard.
There may have been doctors and nurses accompanying her for additional safety. Patients in critical condition usually require a medical evacuation flight, which is a small plane where the patient lies still and is monitored, but that was not the case here. However, I do not know how her condition might have changed after she left. I really do not know.
So, the treatment in Thailand before the flight was relatively positive?
Simply put, the organization covered all expenses, and insurance paid to the fullest extent. The insurance covers treatment and special requests, and the Universe organization agreed to pay. Under the terms, insurance was provided and paid. Any excess costs were handled by the family or Jamaica, who did not have to pay anything.
Including her travel back with her family and a nurse accompanying her. From boarding the plane until arrival in Jamaica, all costs were the responsibility of the organization and insurance. We worked to our full capacity to manage the accident and provide assistance.
Are you confused why the news made it seem so severe?
I am not sure what might happen in the future. There might be claims or complaints; I really don’t know. I have already reported this matter back to the Universe headquarters in Mexico, stating that it is an issue between Jamaica and the organization because our duties as the host country are finished. We took care of everything within Thailand’s scope.
We have recorded what happened and why because we have video evidence and have explained everything. We fulfilled our responsibilities as hosts, as humanitarian caretakers, and ensured full insurance coverage.
I heard they might file a lawsuit about what happened?
That’s why I said I’m not sure about her current condition or whether the condition will affect any documents or claims. But if they have the right to do so, they do. I stand by human rights principles—everyone has the right to claim or object, which is a full personal right. We also have the right to explain and wait. So far, conversations with staff and family have been positive; they are understanding people.
The family are doctors, and the patient herself is a doctor, so there is mutual understanding and no tension while here in Thailand. There were compromises, assistance, and understanding. The Universe organization sent representatives to look after her continuously. But after she returned home, whatever happens, we must accept the situation as it is.
Have they given any feedback yet?
If there is feedback, it must come from the Universe organization's headquarters. Our responsibility has ended. If there is a lawsuit, I don’t know who would be sued. Normally, it would be the Universe organization because of the contract between them and Jamaica. For us, we have completed our care for all 120 contestants; only one fell.
Regarding the cause of the fall, we have clearly explained. We had blocking points indicating where to turn. Everyone reached that point, but she did not. She was far from it, only covering about two-thirds of the runway before turning on her own without following the path, so she stepped down into a gap.
We kept that record as evidence, showing where everyone walked and what they did. There was good rehearsal. Our runway—left wing, right wing, and center wing—is very large. Many people can stand and dance together simultaneously. With 120 people, three runways were fully used. It is not a narrow path that would cause fear; people can run, dance, and walk five abreast on each runway.
However, regarding the fall, one thing we clearly saw from the video is that she did not remember the cues for the performance or contest procedures.
Some media reported she did not rehearse?
That might be partly true because she was unwell and seemed sick. Before going on stage, she was sweating and appeared weak. Our staff behind her asked if she was okay, and she said she was, but I don’t want to say she didn’t rehearse because she was already ill.
In any case, how much she rehearsed isn’t the issue. The key point is that she did not remember the blocking for the actual walk. We had small circles marking the points. If she had completed the walk and turn, it would exceed 100,000 baht (presumably a fine or cost). But she did not reach the point and turned without looking, stepping down without any signal. If anyone saw the footage, she stepped down without any indication at all.
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