British man’s flight home to recovery after horror crash in Thailand
A British man who suffered life-changing injuries while working in Thailand has returned home after an appeal raised nearly £20,000 (880,000 baht) for a medical repatriation flight.
Andy Davis from Stone, Staffordshire, had his left leg amputated and was hospitalised with a shattered pelvis and torn bladder, following a car crash on an island off Krabi last month.
The 33 year old British man’s friend Mike Pugh, set up a Go Fund Me page to raise money towards bringing Davis back to the UK.
He is now being cared for at the Royal Stoke University Hospital and is “very happy to be home,” however he continues to fight an infection and is waiting for further surgery on his pelvis and bladder.
Nearly 500 people donated to the fundraiser which ultimately led to Davis being able to fly home earlier than expected.
Pugh said the donations contributed towards the £28,000 medical repatriation costs, with Davis’ family paying the remaining amount.
He said his friend’s prompt return to the UK “essentially has saved his life as he could have started to deteriorate if he was still out in Thailand.”
Davis started teaching English as a foreign language in 2016, travelling to Thailand, Peru, Mexico, and Ecuador.
Most recently, he had been working to set up teaching positions for other Brits to travel and teach English as a foreign language.
Pugh, who visited his friend at Royal Stoke on Saturday, said the 33 year old was “significantly better” and feeling “much more positive,” since returning home.
Davis is still fighting an infection which is delaying further treatment but he has been able to start physiotherapy, said Pugh.
“He was over the moon, because he had been able to sit up in bed and turn to put his other foot on the ground.”
Pugh added that it was likely his friend would remain in hospital over Christmas while he awaited further surgery.
ORIGINAL STORY: British teacher’s tale takes a ‘Krabi’ turn after leg loss in crash
A British teacher is at the centre of a heartbreaking tale after he lost a leg in a dreadful accident in Thailand.
Andy Davis, from Walton in Stone, Staffordshire, is fighting for his life after a catastrophic road smash on a serene island near Krabi on November 8.
The 33 year old, who has dedicated his life to setting up teaching gigs for British teachers keen to spread the English language abroad, is now facing a gruelling battle for recovery after a horrific crash.
Davis’ selfless work has touched countless lives but it’s his own life that hangs in the balance now. With injuries so severe his leg had to be amputated immediately, the Brit’s situation is dire. To add to his woes, he’s grappling with a shattered pelvis, an infection, and a torn bladder, leaving him in urgent need of several major surgeries.
Rallying to Davis’ aid, his family have kicked off a heartfelt donation appeal. They need to gather a whopping £25,000 (1.1 million baht), and so far, the outpouring of generosity has amassed £11,500 (506,000 baht).
The funds are crucial for life-saving surgeries and to transfer the injured British man from a small hospital in Krabi to a more equipped facility in Bangkok. His family stress that without this move, his chances of survival dwindle, as he battles multiple infections that could lead to even more amputations.
Life-saving
On their GoFundMe page, his family made a plea for help, reported the Shropshire Star.
“These surgeries will be life-saving. For Andy, this transfer is urgent. It’s just the beginning of the daunting medical bills we’re facing, aiming to stabilise him before planning his journey back home. Your support could ensure Andy comes home safely.”
Andy’s lifelong friend, Mike Pugh, shares just how dire the situation is. Describing his mate of 20 years as “incredibly laid back” and “a genuinely nice guy,” Pugh highlights Davis’ inability to sort insurance or healthcare, as he drifts in and out of consciousness.
Pugh believes the support flooding in is a testament to his friend’s character, with donations pouring from across the globe, proving the immense impact he made as he taught in Thailand, Peru, Mexico, and Ecuador since 2016.
For those touched by Davis’ story, donations can be made at gofund.me/f7fb938b. It’s a race against time to bring the injured Brit back to the UK, and every bit of assistance counts.
