Father, 43, fighting for his life after being 'punched outside Benidorm nightclub'
by Wesley Holmes · Irish MirrorAndrew Frazer, aged 43, is currently in an induced coma fighting for his life after a brutal altercation outside a Benidorm nightclub.
Having arrived in the sunny resort for his brother Ian’s birthday on November 13, the celebration turned to horror less than 24 hours later when sister-in-law Claire Howard explained that he was knocked out cold on the street and subsequently rushed to hospital due to a head injury.
Tragically, the stepfather-of-two did not have travel insurance, leading to initial insufficient medical care. His wound was quickly stapled, and without the benefit of a CT scan, he was sent back to his hotel room.
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The next day saw Andrew's condition significantly worsen, which led him to another hospital where it was discovered he had a severe brain bleed. Claire told the Liverpool Echo: "The first I knew about it was when Ian rung my sister Carrie to say Andrew is in hospital. Carrie rang me, I booked us flights and we got there on Saturday morning."
The direness of the situation was evident as she recounted, "Andrew couldn't talk, couldn't communicate. He was sleeping all the time, and when he would wake up he was constantly holding his head, and it was so upsetting because he just couldn't speak at all."
After returning to Merseyside on November 19, with her sister Carrie staying by Andrew's side in Spain, the ordeal escalated. Claire said: "I landed back in the UK at 5pm, and by 10pm he was in for emergency surgery because the bleed was that bad.", reports the Liverpool Echo.
Describing the severity of Andrew's situation after the horrible incident, Claire relayed: "They've taken part of his skull away and they've put that in a freezer, because they can't put it back on yet. His hands are strapped down to make sure he doesn't touch his head, because his brain is exposed."
Following an emergency craniotomy to alleviate pressure on his brain, Andrew, who is from St. Helens in the United Kingdom, has been placed in an induced coma and is now fighting for his life in hospital. In light of the dire circumstances, his mate, Shaun McKeegan, initiated a crowdfunding appeal seeking €33,500 (£28,000) for a medical flight to bring Andrew home.
Claire added: "Andrew may have to go into some type of care home for rehab - he can't walk, can't talk. The fundraising is for a medical flight, which we have been quoted between £25,000 and £28,000. You worry about how you are going to do this, how you are going to get the funds."
Andrew's family is enduring immense stress; as Claire explained, "Andrew's mum and dad are pensioners, they don't have passports, so they're sick with worry. It's been awful. We're just trying to hold things together as a family, keep in contact with each other and carry on."
Hospital restrictions due to Andrew being in intensive care add to the strain - visits are highly restricted to one hour and one person at a time. “Because Andrew is in the ICU, you're only allowed to visit for one hour and only one person is allowed in.
Carrie wants to spend all her time with him, but Ian is his brother and wants to be there as well. Ian hasn't come home since it happened.
Claire concluded with a heartfelt plea for support: "I know its a difficult time for everybody at the moment, but if anybody could help, no matter how big or small the donation is, I cant explain what it would mean."
Andrew's fundraising efforts have already amassed over €14,000 (£12,000). His mate Shaun McKeegan stated: "It's times like this that bring the best out in us, we all care and want to help.
"Please send any money you can spare, no matter how big or small it all counts. Let's try and take some pressure of the family and get Andy back on he's feet and home where he belongs. Andrew and his partner Carrie have twins and just two weeks ago they got engaged."
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