Appeal Launched for British Teacher Gravely Injured in Thailand Crash

[webfact]

Andy Davis in hospital in Thailand. Picture courtesy: Shropshire Star

 

A fundraising campaign has gathered over £11,000 to support Andy Davis, a 33-year-old British teacher from Staffordshire, who sustained severe injuries in a crash in Krabi.

 

Mr Davis, an English teacher abroad since 2016, suffered devastating injuries, including the loss of a leg, a shattered pelvis, and a torn bladder. His friend Mike Pugh explained that these injuries required urgent treatment on the mainland, which comes with a hefty price tag.

 

While some costs may be covered by insurance, it’s estimated that medical expenses, including transferring Mr Davis to Bangkok for specialised care and eventually back to the UK, could exceed £30,000. Mr Pugh expressed hope that the funds raised could also allow Mr Davis to return home for Christmas as originally planned.

 

However, the situation remains dire. Complications such as infections in his leg and pelvis and concerns about his torn bladder have made recovery more challenging. A further amputation may be necessary, adding to the financial and emotional burden.

Mr Davis's parents have flown to Thailand to assist him, as he remains in and out of consciousness and unable to manage his care or insurance arrangements.

 

Described as "incredibly laid back" and "genuinely nice," Mr Davis has touched the lives of many during his teaching career, which has taken him to countries like Thailand, Peru, Mexico, and Ecuador. His work recently focused on helping other Brits find teaching opportunities abroad.

 

Mr Pugh, a close friend for over 20 years, said he was overwhelmed by the support the appeal has received, including donations from former students and friends worldwide. The response has been "heartwarming," reflecting the positive impact Mr Davis has had on others.

 

Despite the challenges ahead, his friends and family remain committed to ensuring he receives the care he needs, with many rallying to show their support during this difficult time, reported BBC.

 

Donations can be made on the GoFundMe page at gofund.me/f7fb938b

 

-- 2024-11-20

 

 

[webfact]

British teacher’s tale takes a ‘Krabi’ turn after leg loss in crash
by Bob Scott

 

Picture of Andy Davis courtesy of the Davis family

A British teacher is at the centre of a heartbreaking tale after he lost a leg in a dreadful accident in Thailand.

 

Andy Davis, a much-loved local lad 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.

 

“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.

 

Picture of Andy Davis courtesy of the Davis family

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-11-20

 

 

[gearbox]

The parents can't find 30k?

[proton]

Much loved, but they need to go e begging for the non insured as usual. Did not see the details of the crash but sounds like another irresponsible bike riding smash, by irresponsible I mean anyone riding a bike here, as on average one rider is killed about every 30 minutes.

[gearbox]

4 minutes ago, proton said:

Much loved, but they need to go e begging for the non insured as usual. Did not see the details of the crash but sounds like another irresponsible bike riding smash, by irresponsible I mean anyone riding a bike here, as on average one rider is killed about every 30 minutes.

I was asked sometimes ago to contribute to a similar case by a friend who knew the family personally. Turned out mom and pop had well paid jobs, own house plus investment property. I politely declined.

[lordgrinz]

22 minutes ago, webfact said:

their GoFundMe page

 

Please make it stop.

[Tropicalevo]

27 minutes ago, gearbox said:

The parents can't find 30k?

 

That would be quite a lot of money for most parents in the UK these days.

As I read things, this is a 'quick help - need it now' to get him stable enough so that he can sort out the insurance.

Who knows what happens after that.

[mdr224]

Anyone that takes their motorbike to go anywhere past the 7-11 across the block takes that risk

[CharlieH]

Inappropriate comment in very poor taste has been removed.

 

 

[SmokeandIce]

Not to hijack the information in this post, but I would be very interested to know if a person was injured like this and they had entered and paid the future THB 300 entry tax, how much would that fund pay for medical costs ?

[neeray]

Just now, gearbox said:

The parents can't find 30k?

Not everybody has 30k sitting idle, plus the parents have other expenses to handle, relative to the situation.

[Screaming]

1 hour ago, proton said:

Much loved, but they need to go e begging for the non insured as usual. Did not see the details of the crash but sounds like another irresponsible bike riding smash, by irresponsible I mean anyone riding a bike here, as on average one rider is killed about every 30 minutes.

So true proton, only an idiot gets on a motorbike in Thailand. You have to make a death wish to ride a motorbike.

[1happykamper]

1 hour ago, gearbox said:

The parents can't find 30k?

Obviously not. Judge much? Your comment is insensitive and very judgmental. 

[Gottfrid]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

While some costs may be covered by insurance, it’s estimated that medical expenses, including transferring Mr Davis to Bangkok for specialised care and eventually back to the UK, could exceed £30,000.

Why some? In other words, he bought a cheap charlie insurance. With a  real one the costs in Thailand would be covered. After that, he would be able to travel on a regular plane home. So, out of his stupidity, just another GoFundMe is live and well. Let others pay for your mistakes.

If he wasn´t stupid enough to drive without helmet and license of course.

Edited 1 hour ago by Gottfrid

[soalbundy]

That's a lot of devastating injuries, how ones life can change in the blink of an eye.

[Owiee]

2 hours ago, proton said:

Much loved, but they need to go e begging for the non insured as usual. Did not see the details of the crash but sounds like another irresponsible bike riding smash, by irresponsible I mean anyone riding a bike here, as on average one rider is killed about every 30 minutes.

I believe the article mentions he was insured but it would not cover all cost n

[Rampant Rabbit]

surely...................surely  that new govt scheme to tax  the hell out of arrivals  implement the insurance  on arrival will easily cover this.

[Hanuman2547]

Would be nice to know the details that led up to the accident.  Were there other people involved?  Other cars, motorbikes, etc?  

[CLW]

No insurance? Just irresponsible and now others (including his family) have to help him out 

[richard_smith237]

15 minutes ago, SmokeandIce said:

Not to hijack the information in this post, but I would be very interested to know if a person was injured like this and they had entered and paid the future THB 300 entry tax, how much would that fund pay for medical costs ?

 

Agreed...  Although I personally would never want to rely on a scheme such as this to ensure the best medical care in an emergency - everyone knows the improtance of full health / medical Insurance to protect from such issues.

 

I also wonder who was responsible for the motorcycle accident - if a 3rd party was at fault, could they be held accountable for the costs ?... If I'm not mistaken the compulsory insurance (Por-Ror-Bor) only covers medical costs up to a certain amount. 

 

 

What is somewhat grinding with this story is that the hospitals know what needs to be done to give this lad a better shot at surviving, but are putting that on hold while waiting for a bill to be paid - IMO that is outrageously mercenary, they can just move the guy, save his life and chase up the costs afterward.

 

 If people are going to argue that point - be reminded: 

- In 2023 the Revenue from Medical Tourism to Thailand was 29 Billion Baht.

- Burden of unpaid medical bills estimated at 300 to 400 Million Baht - about 1% of the total revenue.

 

The Thai Medical industry is not hurting by any means because of people such as this guy who need urgent medical care.

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

15 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Why some? In other words, he bought a cheap charlie insurance. With a  real one the costs in Thailand would be covered. After that, he would be able to travel on a regular plane home. So, out of his stupidity, just another GoFundMe is live and well. Let others pay for your mistakes.

If he wasn´t stupid enough to drive without helmet and license of course.

 

Where was it reported that he was unlicensed and riding without a helmet ???

 

I agree - it was stupid to ride without adequate insurance...  but I recall in my earlier days here while in my 20's, I apparently had insurance cover through my company, but it wasn't something I gave any thought to at the time - I don't imagine many young people give much through to this.

I don't imagine youngsters do until its too late. 

 

Of course, we are acutely aware of these issues because we live her - but how many tourists travel here without awareness that they have no medical cover - IMO, the lack of advice 'pushed' in the direction of tourists and travellers here is very poor.

 

For this reason alone I like the idea of compulsory insurance (written into the cost of a ticket perhaps) - so that there is no debate regarding treatment at government hospitals - its just carried out.. and if people want to ensure better treatment they can still use their own private insurance etc.

Edited 1 hour ago by richard_smith237

[fresher]

Insurance inadequate, doesn't cover motor bike riding, or nullified by no helmet? Teachers are not supposed to be stupid.

 

[kwaussie]

It must have been a hell of a smash, his life changed forever in a blink of an eye, wish him well.

[riverhigh]

The reality of living the dream life in Thailand. As no details of the accident are given, we are expected to beleive it was incredible "bad luck" that caused the accident as reported by his unbiased freind. The follwing sales pitches to garner your sympathy and hopefully your money.

 

 - "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"

 

Call me callous but these words are empty and can genrated using "AI" software. Doesn't show what he has actually done to deserve such a glowing testimonial.

 

 

[richard_smith237]

5 minutes ago, fresher said:

Insurance inadequate, doesn't cover motor bike riding, or nullified by no helmet? Teachers are not supposed to be stupid.

 

Unless there is a specific clause excluding riding motorcycles,  IF he was licensed he was riding legally.

 

I think its usually just travel insurance that has a clause excluding motorcycle use - but he lived and worked here, so travel insurance wouldn't be the cover he would or should be carrying anyway (if he was carrying any insurance at all).

 

My Health Insurance has no stipulation excluding motorcycles - I am fully covered to ride motorcycles (and am licensed of course).

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Mr Davis, an English teacher abroad since 2016, suffered devastating injuries, including the loss of a leg, a shattered pelvis, and a torn bladder. His friend Mike Pugh explained that these injuries required urgent treatment on the mainland, which comes with a hefty price tag.

Yikes... 

[Ralf001]

52 minutes ago, neeray said:

Not everybody has 30k sitting idle, plus the parents have other expenses to handle, relative to the situation.

 

Surely they could find a loan shark to take the house as collateral on a 30k loan.

Edited 46 minutes ago by Ralf001

[herfiehandbag]

11 minutes ago, fresher said:

Insurance inadequate, doesn't cover motor bike riding, or nullified by no helmet? Teachers are not supposed to be stupid.

 

Was he a teacher, or did he act as an "agent" fixing short term "teaching gigs" for cash strapped backpackers?

[Ralf001]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

 

On their GoFundMe page, his family made a plea for help.

 

“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.”

 

Nicely setting up the second round of "scab cash from the public".

[thaibeachlovers]

50 minutes ago, Screaming said:

So true proton, only an idiot gets on a motorbike in Thailand. You have to make a death wish to ride a motorbike.

Rubbish. Riding responsibly reduces the risk to slight. Many farangs ride in LOS without any trouble. It probably more dangerous crossing the road in Pattaya than riding responsibly.

 

There is nothing in the OP about how the crash happened or if he was riding.

 

While he may be the nicest man on the planet, not having good enough insurance is just plain stupid.