British man’s sun-soaked dream escape turns tragic in Thailand
A dream holiday in paradise has turned into an unimaginable nightmare for a British man whose life hangs by a thread in a Thailand hospital. The family and friends of British restauranteur Ricky Eury are by his bedside praying for his life following a shocking accident at a luxurious Thai resort.
The 39 year old Brit, who was enjoying a sun-soaked escape in Phuket, is fighting for his life after being mown down by a Russian tourist on the bustling streets of the island.
The incident occurred on Saturday, March 15, leaving him with catastrophic injuries.
Sergei Medvedev and his wife Svetlana, both arrested on the scene, were riding an XMAX motorcycle when they hit the Bristolian as he crossed the road. The impact left him with multiple skull fractures, broken ribs, a shattered nose, and severe bleeding on the brain.
With his life hanging by a thread, his distraught parents George and Annette, devastated girlfriend Hannah Ryan, and brother Joey caught the first available flight to Thailand, The Daily Mail reported.
They received the soul-crushing news that he might not survive the night, said his 39 year old girlfriend Hanna.
“When I heard what had happened, I worried he wouldn’t be alive when we arrived. My whole world has collapsed.”
Eury’s father, 66 year old George, recounted the horrifying moment they learned of the accident.
“We found out at 8am on Saturday morning. I was totally devastated. I could hear Ricky screaming in the background. His friend told us to get there immediately.”
Eury’s mother, 73 year old Annette, described the agonising wait.
“That was the longest 24 hours of my life. We were in the air, unable to contact anyone, unsure if he’d be alive when we landed.”
Miraculously, Eury survived the critical first 36 hours after being transferred to Bangkok Hospital Phuket’s intensive care unit.
Known for his dedication to fitness, the British man had been in Phuket since February training in Thai-boxing and managing his award-nominated restaurant, Gorilla Thai Kitchens, in Bristol, said his father.
“He was just leaving the gym after lunch when the accident happened. Ricky is strong, and the doctors say his fitness will aid his recovery. But the future is uncertain.”
Eury has since regained consciousness and begun speaking, though his memory remains clouded, said his mother.
“He keeps asking if he can get up, then repeats the question minutes later.”
The family were hit with another blow upon arriving in Thailand. The severity of their son’s head injuries meant he couldn’t provide his travel insurance details, leaving them facing astronomical hospital bills. His 36 year old friend, Solomon Wilkinson, launched a GoFundMe page to help cover these costs.
“Ricky has been unconscious, so we cannot confirm his insurance information. His family had to pay the equivalent of £10,000 on his third day of treatment.”
The Eury family is committed to staying by Ricky’s side, pledging to remain in Thailand as long as needed, said George, a retired fisheries manager from Devon.
“Ricky comes first. We’re living day by day, hour by hour.”
Despite the mounting stress, there are glimmers of hope. Hospital doctors are cautiously optimistic but have warned that recovery will be a long process. The extent of Ricky’s brain injuries remains uncertain, leaving the family facing an anxious wait.
As they navigate this challenging time, the focus remains on Ricky’s recovery. The family is determined and hopeful, doing everything possible to support him through his journey back to health.
Latest Thailand News
