Family and friends of a young British man critically injured while travelling in Thailand are urgently appealing to raise funds to help save his life and fly him home.
Tiger Duggan, who turned 23 today, was involved in a road collision on Sunday during a motorcycle trip.
Nurses who are colleagues of his mother, who works at a neonatal unit, have organised the fundraising drive for medical treatment and specialist medical flights.
Tiger was initially feared dead but was resuscitated at the scene and taken to a small hospital on the Koh Samui island with critical injuries.
His family, from Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, have organised a medical plane to move Tiger – who remains unconscious and on a life-support machine – to the capital Bangkok for specialist care.
Eventually, they hope Tiger, who was travelling with a British friend and had set out on his trip on January 16, will be stable enough to be flown back to the UK.
An online fundraising appeal has been set up by colleagues of Tiger’s mother Lisa Duggan, a neonatal nurse at Milton Keynes University Hospital, which has so far raised over £77,000.
Mrs Duggan said: ‘I am overwhelmed by the huge generosity by everyone so far.
‘Expenses so far are £6,000 for his (hospital) stay, £20,000 to transfer him to Bangkok (but) this does not include medical treatment.’
Although Tiger did take out medical insurance, Mrs Duggan said the family are still ‘trying to work through it’ and support has not yet been provided – while her son’s condition is desperate.
In their plea for donations to help pay for the medical flight to Bangkok, a family spokesperson said: ‘The local medical facilities are unable to provide the critical care and specialised treatment Tiger urgently needs.
‘Doctors have advised that he must be transferred to a major hospital in Bangkok for advanced medical care and specialist assessment. This transfer is urgent and essential for his survival and recovery.
‘Although Tiger does have travel insurance, we have been informed that the process is lengthy and approvals can take time. Unfortunately, he cannot afford to wait, and this emergency transfer must happen immediately to give him the best possible chance.’
The flight to Bangkok took place this morning, with Tiger accompanied by his mother and aunt Lena.
The family is now seeking thousands of pounds more to fund Tiger’s transfer back to the UK.
His father Kieron Duggan, a plumber, and brother River, who travelled separately to the Thai capital, said: ‘Tiger is now in Bangkok but we still need to get him home. As you could imagine the cost is going to be incredible.’
Tiger had moved from Milton Keynes to Perth, Western Australia, two years ago to start a ‘dream job’ working for gold mining company Westgold Resources.
Lisa’s colleagues, who set up the GoFundMe page, said: ‘Lisa is not just a colleague to us, she is a compassionate, dedicated nurse and a deeply caring person who gives so much of herself to others every single day. Now, her family needs that same care and kindness returned to them.
‘Any donation, no matter how small, will make a difference. If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this page. Your kindness, love, and support mean more than we can put into words.’
Tiger’s family are being supported by Milton Keynes Central Labour MP Emily Darlington, who said: ‘I am shocked and saddened to hear about the devastating accident involving Tiger, a young man from our community who is now fighting for his life in Thailand.’
Visit www.gofundme.com/f/ncqg5-please-help-an-angel-in-need to support the family.
The family’s supporters are also holding a vigil event in Milton Keynes on Saturday February 7 at Gregories Drive, Wavendon Gate, between 8pm and 9pm. See here https://www.facebook.com/events/868646272658040 for details.
