A fundraising campaign is continuing to help bring a young Birmingham man back to the UK from Thailand after he suffered life-threatening injuries in a road crash. Ethan Lacey, 20, from Castle Vale, Birmingham, has spent five weeks fighting for his life with severe brain injuries, and his family is seeking to raise GBP50,000 to cover the costs of returning him home for specialist medical treatment.

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The father-of-one had travelled to Pattaya to visit his cousin during a planned four-week trip. It is believed he fell from a moving pick-up truck before being struck by the vehicle or another vehicle. Following the incident, his family discovered he was being treated in intensive care, where they were informed that life support would need to be turned off.

Ethan’s father, Kevin Lacey, travelled to Thailand to be with his son and has spoken of the difficulties the family faces while trying to understand his condition. “With communication here it’s very hard to know exactly what’s going on,” he said. “So that’s why we’re desperate to get him home for the medical treatment he really needs.”

The family later learned that Ethan had extended his stay in Thailand shortly before the incident. However, they said he had forgotten to renew his travel insurance, leaving them responsible for significant medical and repatriation costs.

Friends, relatives and members of the local community have rallied behind the fundraising effort. A recent fundraising event was held to support the campaign, with volunteers collecting donations across the area.

Family friend Lucy Regan, who helped organise the fundraiser, praised the community response. “Everyone has come together to help,” she said. “It’s been absolutely outstanding.”

Supporter Nicola Campbell said volunteers had been working hard to raise funds. “We’ve been around the streets, we’ve been everywhere that we can with buckets collecting as much money as we can,” she said. “And we haven't let anyone go past us without tapping us for some change.”

Her daughter, Nelly-May, also voiced support for Ethan’s return, saying: “He should have the same chance to see his family like everyone else.”

The BBC reported that the fundraising campaign continues as the family works to reach its GBP50,000 target. Supporters hope enough money can be raised to allow Ethan to return to the UK, where he can receive the ongoing medical treatment his family believes he needs.

Picture of Lucy Regan courtesy of BBC

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Adapted by ASEAN Now BBC 24 June 2026

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3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A fundraising campaign is continuing to help bring a young Birmingham man back to the UK from Thailand after he suffered life-threatening injuries in a road crash. Ethan Lacey, 20, from Castle Vale, Birmingham, has spent five weeks fighting for his life with severe brain injuries, and his family is seeking to raise GBP50,000 to cover the costs of returning him home for specialist medical treatment.

Get today's headlines by email

The father-of-one had travelled to Pattaya to visit his cousin during a planned four-week trip. It is believed he fell from a moving pick-up truck before being struck by the vehicle or another vehicle. Following the incident, his family discovered he was being treated in intensive care, where they were informed that life support would need to be turned off.

Ethan’s father, Kevin Lacey, travelled to Thailand to be with his son and has spoken of the difficulties the family faces while trying to understand his condition. “With communication here it’s very hard to know exactly what’s going on,” he said. “So that’s why we’re desperate to get him home for the medical treatment he really needs.”

The family later learned that Ethan had extended his stay in Thailand shortly before the incident. However, they said he had forgotten to renew his travel insurance, leaving them responsible for significant medical and repatriation costs.

Friends, relatives and members of the local community have rallied behind the fundraising effort. A recent fundraising event was held to support the campaign, with volunteers collecting donations across the area.

Family friend Lucy Regan, who helped organise the fundraiser, praised the community response. “Everyone has come together to help,” she said. “It’s been absolutely outstanding.”

Supporter Nicola Campbell said volunteers had been working hard to raise funds. “We’ve been around the streets, we’ve been everywhere that we can with buckets collecting as much money as we can,” she said. “And we haven't let anyone go past us without tapping us for some change.”

Her daughter, Nelly-May, also voiced support for Ethan’s return, saying: “He should have the same chance to see his family like everyone else.”

The BBC reported that the fundraising campaign continues as the family works to reach its GBP50,000 target. Supporters hope enough money can be raised to allow Ethan to return to the UK, where he can receive the ongoing medical treatment his family believes he needs.

Picture of Lucy Regan courtesy of BBC

Related stories

UK-family-appeals-to-bring-crash-victim-home-from-Thailand

Brit-taken-off-life-support-after-Pattaya-truck-fall

Brit-tourist-critical-after-Pattaya-truck-fall

Foreigner-hurt-after-jumping-from-pickup-in-Pattaya

Join the discussion?

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Adapted by ASEAN Now BBC 24 June 2026

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Yeah, beggars banquet

2 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Yeah, beggars banquet

"And we haven't let anyone go past us without tapping us for some change"

Did she have to use the word 'tapping'

Sorry for Ethan but why do people never learn to make sure they have an insurance?

-Forgot to renew

-Didn't buy insurance

-Thought I had insurance.

And when it's too late ..

Well never mind let's start a fundraising instead .

It should be mandatory to have insurance. If no insurance, no visa.

Sad story. Similar ending - GoFundMe.

Another MENSA member comes to Thailand….20, with one child already….#youcantfixstupid

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Following the incident, his family discovered he was being treated in intensive care, where they were informed that life support would need to be turned off

So if the hospital is saying they need turn it off I'm guessing there is nothing that can be done . So why are the family trying to raise money to get him to the UK for treatment he needs ?

This is exactly why Thailand was talking about the implementing 70 baht of the 300 baht entry fee to provide "Basic" medical and accident insurance.

I've seen no details on the coverage amounts.

We all feel sorry for these people and hope they recover fully and quickly. To us living and reading these stories it seems like they happen way to often and the victim is unprepared.

Quote

"With communication here it’s very hard to know exactly what’s going on,” he said. “So that’s why we’re desperate to get him home for the medical treatment he really needs.”

Some private hospitals provide translation or interpreters for this reason.

Additionally you can hire a specialized interpreter for between 3500 baht to 6000 baht for approximately 4 hours of service. They would be knowledgeable in medical terminology and be able to help you understand the treatment and diagnosis.

Thailand is pretty well known for Medical Tourism so these services are available.

Again we all hope the best for the guy.

1 hour ago, hanbla said:

Sorry for Ethan but why do people never learn to make sure they have an insurance?

-Forgot to renew

-Didn't but insurance

-Thought I had insurance.

And when it's too late ..

Well never mind let's start a fundraising instead .

It should be mandatory to have insurance. If no insurance, no visa.

There would be no insurance payout anyway as he was riding in the back of a pickup, which is illegal as it's dangerous and people might suffer serious injury or be killed.

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

Yeah, beggars banquet

Nobody asked you to contribute Paddy. We all know what you think of the Brits. No need to worry - you can keep your short arms far away from your deep pockets.

34 minutes ago, ronster said:

So if the hospital is saying they need turn it off I'm guessing there is nothing that can be done . So why are the family trying to raise money to get him to the UK for treatment he needs ?

Correct, and the family agreed to remove life support, however, the lad's a Brummie and they don't die easy; so he's no longer life support and in a stable condition.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2025pprdv0o

15 minutes ago, Stocky said:

in a stable condition.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2025pprdv0o

"He had three bleeds on the brain. He's broken his jaw, fractured his neck, broken his shoulder, arm, hand."

Not a stability anyone would want.

I believe that rather than provide the usual condemnation and rebuke, the issue that is more important is whether or not the poor kid is brain dead, or if he has managed to recover some neurological capacity. The BBC report suggests that there has been movement in his limbs. If it is not involuntary, but is actually the patient recovering incrementally, then he does merit intervention.

How do twenty-year-olds have the money for four-week international holidays?

Kids today have it so tough

9 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

"He had three bleeds on the brain. He's broken his jaw, fractured his neck, broken his shoulder, arm, hand."

Not a stability anyone would want.

This is what I don't understand.

If the guy is in such bad shape and you've raised 24,000 British pounds or approximately 1,000,000 baht why wouldn't you transfer the guy to a better private hospital. To me seems to risky moving a patient a long distance in his condition even on a medical flight.

If there are complications the pilot has to divert, get clearance to land, wait for ground medical transport to take him to the hospital. Then what quality of medical care is available at the hospital.

Sorry for Ethan but why do people never learn to make sure they have an insurance?

-Forgot to renew

-Didn't buy insurance

-Thought I had insurance.

And when it's too late ..

Well never mind let's start a fundraising instead .

It should be mandatory to have insurance. If no insurance, no visa.

Do you honestly believe that insurance will pay for falling out of the back of a pickup truck?

FFS, they denied payment to a lady who was injured on a pony ride. Claimed it was a dangerous activity, and not covered. They'd have a field day with "riding in the back of a pickup".

5 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

How do twenty-year-olds have the money for four-week international holidays?

Kids today have it so tough

And he extended it.

2 hours ago, JohnO958 said:

Another MENSA member comes to Thailand….20, with one child already….#youcantfixstupid

My thoughts exactly, father of one at 20 years old. Not uncommon but I would wager the kid isn't missing him or even know who he is. Could say the same about the child's mother.

3 hours ago, gravity101 said:

"And we haven't let anyone go past us without tapping us for some change"

Did she have to use the word 'tapping'

Well, probably more likely to elicit sympathy than "pick pocketing anyone going past". Or wasn’t it in Liverpool..?

1 hour ago, emptypockets said:

My thoughts exactly, father of one at 20 years old. Not uncommon but I would wager the kid isn't missing him or even know who he is. Could say the same about the child's mother.

"It’s a wise man that knows his own child" - or in this case they’re likely not even sure who the mother is… 😱

2 hours ago, Stocky said:

Correct, and the family agreed to remove life support, however, the lad's a Brummie and they don't die easy; so he's no longer life support and in a stable condition.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2025pprdv0o

Reading the article I wonder if he is not better off in Thailand. Moving him might be dangerous. If he is getting better why not let him heal and then fly home. Also if he is off life support maybe they could get an apartment and hire nursing

OR

Is the real reason they want the NHS government to pay

So the owner of the truck (private or baht bus ???) along with the other vehicle that hit him, were not insured ???

Unless brain dead, with the 1M THB already, why won't a better hospital admit him ???

All sounding a bit fishy.

3 hours ago, J Branche said:

This is exactly why Thailand was talking about the implementing 70 baht of the 300 baht entry fee to provide "Basic" medical and accident insurance.

If Thailand is serious about tourism they could do as New Zealand where all tourists are covered for medical treatment for accidental injury.

Forget the 70 Baht just implement the scheme and charge tourists an extra 300-500 baht for the privilege.

Sure you'd get truck loads on Indians arriving with broken ankles or whatever just like they claim for stolen necklaces but...

Is this a new one? TBH I've lost count. There seem to be so many. And all with the same story--head injuries from falls of one sort or another. I wonder if people hopping on international flights like they're cross town busses has the effect of putting them off their guard.

So the owner of the truck (private or baht bus ???) along with the other vehicle that hit him, were not insured ???

Unless brain dead, with the 1M THB already, why won't a better hospital admit him ???

All sounding a bit fishy.

As I recall, all they know about the pickup is that it was a Toyota Hilux Revo and that it had Bangkok plates. (Unless there's been an update). I got chastised for suggesting it may have been a baht bus (as shorthand for a vehicle that transports people for hire, whether that be a pickup taxi, a songthaew, or an actual baht bus)

1 hour ago, Chongalulu said:

Well, probably more likely to elicit sympathy than "pick pocketing anyone going past". Or wasn’t it in Liverpool..?

|Another chilli whose never been to Liverpool

4 hours ago, JohnO958 said:

Another MENSA member comes to Thailand….20, with one child already….#youcantfixstupid

Maybe being away in Thailand was a bit of question mark. But having children at a young age is not. It used to be normal enough not so long ago. The fact that it is now so scorned explains the cratering of native populations in Europe.

Might be time to require proof of 'good' travel insurance before allowing tourist in. With a booth at Imm selling of course. Problem solved.

4 hours ago, J Branche said:

This is exactly why Thailand was talking about the implementing 70 baht of the 300 baht entry fee to provide "Basic" medical and accident insurance.

I've seen no details on the coverage amounts.

We all feel sorry for these people and hope they recover fully and quickly. To us living and reading these stories it seems like they happen way to often and the victim is unprepared.

Compulsory insurance is a great idea but it would have to be one that covers motorbike riding while drunk / no licence , falling off highrise balconeys whilst drunk , tuk tuks and the back of utes whilst drunk or drugged , bungy jumping / skydiving scuba diving riding on the roof of a baht bus drunk ..etc.etc.etc. but where are you gonna get such a policy ?? There is no cure for stupidity.