Accident British Expat Loses Both Legs in Bangkok Hit-and-Run Tragedy

[webfact]

Willie Braid.

 

BANGKOK - British expat Willie Braid, 54, tragically lost both legs following an alleged hit and run in Bangkok, Thailand. The Scotsman was involved in a motorbike crash with a lorry on July 27, leaving him with life-altering injuries. The lorry driver is reported to have fled the scene, leaving Willie battling for his life.

 

Rushed to a Bangkok hospital, Willie faced critical complications, including kidney failure, requiring him to be placed in an induced coma. Doctors were forced to amputate both his legs below the knee, and he remains in need of constant care.

 

His sister June flew to Thailand to be at his side, sharing that while he’s emerged from the coma, confusion still clouds his recovery.

 

June expressed her concern: "He recognises us, but he’s very disoriented. There’s a psychiatrist working with him, but his understanding of the situation is fragmented."

 

Despite the trauma, Willie is reportedly receiving top-notch medical attention, including kidney dialysis, and is expected to remain in the hospital for up to three months.

 

The road to recovery is expected to be both lengthy and arduous. As Willie heals, he’ll transition to rehabilitation, requiring prosthetic legs to regain his mobility and independence.

 

June, grappling with the uncertainty, stated, "Right now, I'm taking everything day by day. Willie can't fly yet, but thankfully he's in expert hands."

 

A fundraiser initiated by June seeks to cover Willie’s medical and rehabilitation expenses, raising nearly £5,000 so far. Willie’s discharge will mark the beginning of lifelong support needs, including moving into assisted accommodation.

 

The family is also pushing for justice, with assistance from the British Embassy in Thailand to track down the driver responsible for the crash.

 

A family representative noted, "We’re getting help to find a lawyer to pursue the case with the police. Meanwhile, fundraising efforts continue to aid Willie’s recovery."

 

For more information or to contribute, visit the online fundraiser HERE.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from MIRROR 2025-08-07

 

 

[Olav Seglem]

Tragic, but travel insurance ??

(Or other-if permanent resident )

 

[lordgrinz]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The family is also pushing for justice, with assistance from the British Embassy in Thailand to track down the driver responsible for the crash.

 

Since the guy awoke from a coma and appears to be disoriented and barely recognizes his family, how did they determine its the other drivers fault? 

[praguecr]

48 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Since the guy awoke from a coma and appears to be disoriented and barely recognizes his family, how did they determine its the other drivers fault? 

Because it was a hit and run!

[ronster]

So what about the lorry driver ? Did he flee in the lorry or abandon it ? 

Surely not difficult to track him either way and get him to pay or insurance to pay for the guys hospital bill.

[Andrew65]

Hope it works out for him as well as can be expected.

In my 20 years there I always avoided riding on motorbikes (either as a driver or passenger), the roads are just too dangerous to be exposed, and on 2 wheels. (IMHO).

[JustinTyme]

2 hours ago, Olav Seglem said:

Tragic, but travel insurance ??

(Or other-if permanent resident )

 

Willing to bet that even IF he had insurance, it would NOT cover a motorbike accident.  But the real point for me is, these people who feel obliged to constantly post "Tragic, but travel insurance ??" ... self righteous and frankly, a bit mean spirited, considering a young man in the prime of his life, is in such horrible circumstances.  Olav, this is not a chipped tooth or fractured wrist, HE LOST BOTH LEGS.  While we are on the subject Olav, might I ask, in what way do you have ANY skin in the game?  Do you pay taxes, does this effect you in ANY way? 

[AAArdvark]

49 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Since the guy awoke from a coma and appears to be disoriented and barely recognizes his family, how did they determine its the other drivers fault? 

Because the lory driver fled. Hit and run. 

[lordgrinz]

8 minutes ago, praguecr said:

Because it was a hit and run!

 

Umm? They got in an accident, there is no proof of whose fault it is, just because the other driver left the scene doesn't automatically mean he is at fault for the accident. 

[Smokey and the Bandit]

50 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Since the guy awoke from a coma and appears to be disoriented and barely recognizes his family, how did they determine its the other drivers fault? 

The fact that the truck driver ran away, would infer he was at fault?

[lordgrinz]

Just now, AAArdvark said:

Because the lory driver fled. Hit and run. 

 

Again, that means nothing, other than he left the scene.

[Donga]

5 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Again, that means nothing, other than he left the scene.

Bloody hell, left the scene is enough FFS. Why didn't he help the man?

[lordgrinz]

Just now, Donga said:

Bloody hell, left the scene is enough FFS. Why didn't he help the man?

 

Yes, he is guilty of leaving the scene, and not rendering aid, but that doesn't mean he caused the accident. 

[hotandsticky]

Just now, lordgrinz said:

 

Yes, he is guilty of leaving the scene, and not rendering aid, but that doesn't mean he caused the accident. 

 

 

Still makes him a b4stard for leaving the scene  -  and innocent people rarely flee the scene of an accident.

[Andrew65]

1 minute ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Still makes him a b4stard for leaving the scene  -  and innocent people rarely flee the scene of an accident.

Maybe he didn't have a licence? Maybe he didn't want to risk getting beaten-up by bystanders?

[jwl53]

1 hour ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Since the guy awoke from a coma and appears to be disoriented and barely recognizes his family, how did they determine its the other drivers fault? 

Maybe because someone else saw the lrry drive off, But a real big indicator would be when the police arrived the lorry was gone, more than likely the lorry driver was drunk or high on yabba 

[lordgrinz]

1 minute ago, hotandsticky said:

Still makes him a b4stard for leaving the scene  -  and innocent people rarely flee the scene of an accident.

 

For such a pretty serious accident, where is the initial news about the accident? Or is this just another GoFundMe stunt?

[hotandsticky]

5 minutes ago, Andrew65 said:

Maybe he didn't have a licence? Maybe he didn't want to risk getting beaten-up by bystanders?

 

Maybe @jwl53 is a more accurate assessment.

[biggles45]

Fleeing the scene seems to be the Thai way. 

[Easterneye]

I wish him well in his recovery ,, but like so many others if having to go crowdfunding ,, out there living the dream without the proper insurance until it all goes wrong 

[Grumpy one]

2 hours ago, Olav Seglem said:

Tragic, but travel insurance ??

(Or other-if permanent resident )

 

Travel insurance for a bike rider  

Good luck with that

[riverhigh]

 

"The family is also pushing for justice, with assistance from the British Embassy in Thailand to track down the driver responsible for the crash. A family representative noted, "We’re getting help to find a lawyer to pursue the case with the police."

 

Family focus should be on getting Willie back to health. I don't think the family understand that getting money out of a broke lorry driver is like getting water out of a stone. Problem with this article is that it assumes the the lorry driver was in the wrong.  No cctv footage of the accident, no police report describing the accident. Did Willie have a valid license to ride the bike? Did he have insurance?  Was he retuning home after a night of drinking ans smoking weed? Was the accident a result of Willie's lack of Thai motor bike driving experience? I.e. Unaware of the common sense rule that you give way to large lorries, or cut in front of them and expect them to stop on a dime. Too many unanswered questions.

 

 

[NanLaew]

30 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Again, that means nothing, other than he left the scene.

 

If he's apprehended, it means at least one charge, even if it isn't his fault. I think it's something like failing to render aid, or similar.

 

Anyway, I'm not sure why you are arguing the point of who's to blame, as the OP states (my emphasis)

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

...tragically lost both legs following an alleged hit and run...

 

[NanLaew]

22 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

For such a pretty serious accident, where is the initial news about the accident? Or is this just another GoFundMe stunt?

 

Why are you being such a collosal arse?

 

[Big Bert]

The Scotsman skidded along the ground before being run over by a 20-wheeler truck, which crushed his legs. Shocking dashcam footage shows the truck passing through an intersection as the motorcyclist flies into view along the ground. He appears to get dragged under the huge tyres as sparks come from his bike, followed by a sickening thud.

This was from a UK paper yesterday.
They have dash cam and CCTV but nothing showing the accident, trucks reg was not visible in the footage. 

[lordgrinz]

4 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Why are you being such a collosal arse?

 

 

Any local news, or just the same UK driven articles all copying each other?

 

[Bohemianfish]

It's possible any insurance he had didn't cover the incident or over a certain amount. Or he didn't have his international driver's permit. Either way, considering the circumstances, the family isn't asking for much. 

[Bacon1]

Post containing black box format has been removed.

[lordgrinz]

8 minutes ago, Big Bert said:

The Scotsman skidded along the ground before being run over by a 20-wheeler truck, which crushed his legs. Shocking dashcam footage shows the truck passing through an intersection as the motorcyclist flies into view along the ground. He appears to get dragged under the huge tyres as sparks come from his bike, followed by a sickening thud.

This was from a UK paper yesterday.
They have dash cam and CCTV but nothing showing the accident, trucks reg was not visible in the footage. 

 

So he got run over after skidding underneath a 20 wheeled lorry, which probably never even felt it. Would love to see the CCTV and dashcam though.

[cardinalblue]

I wonder what % of drivers flee the scene yet it is not their fault for the accident?

 

usually Thais if not their fault would stay put so they can ensure to collect monies for any property damage