Family gives heartbreaking update on man paralysed in Benidorm 'attack'
by Ben Haslam · Manchester Evening NewsAn update has been provided on the condition of a man from St Helens who is fighting for his life after being put in an induced coma after being knocked unconscious on holiday in Benidorm. Andrew Frazer, 43, travelled to the popular Spanish resort for his brother Ian's birthday celebration on November 13.
By 1am on November 14, less than 24 hours after arriving, his sister-in-law, Claire Howard said he was knocked unconscious in the street and rushed to hospital with a head injury. Claire said that because Andrew did not have travel insurance, his wound was stapled and he was sent back to his hotel without a CT scan.
The following day, his condition deteriorated and he was taken to another hospital where a scan revealed a serious brain bleed. Andrew underwent an emergency craniotomy and remains in hospital in an induced coma.
A fundraiser was set up to raise funds to bring Andrew back to the UK for treatment. Claire has now told the ECHO that Andrew will be flying home to Merseyside on Wednesday or Thursday.
She said: "When he's back he'll be in the Walton Centre straight away. His friend Shaun has been in contact with the repatriation company and he's sorted all of that. He's been such a good friend," reports the Liverpool Echo.
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After Andrew suffered a serious injury, his friend Shaun McKeegan initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover the costs of bringing him back home. The repatriation is estimated to cost between £25,000 and £28,000, and impressively, the fundraiser surpassed £28,000 within just three days.
(Image: Claire Howard)
Claire shared the severity of Andrew's condition, saying he is now paralysed on his right side and unable to speak as he remains in intensive care in Spain. She had previously expressed to the ECHO her concerns: "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 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.
"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. He's been there constantly.
"I know it's 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."