The family of British tourist Ethan Lacey has thanked thousands of supporters after he was successfully flown back to the UK for specialist medical treatment following weeks of fundraising and public support.

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Ethan’s return marks a major step in his recovery after he suffered catastrophic injuries in Thailand in circumstances that remain unclear. His family said the public’s generosity made the complex medical evacuation possible, allowing him to receive the specialist care he needs in Britain.

In a message shared with supporters, the family said: “As you all know, Ethan is finally back home in the UK. After everything he’s been through, knowing he’s now where he needs to be for the specialist treatment he deserves means the world to us.”

They also thanked everyone who donated, shared fundraising appeals or sent messages of encouragement. “From complete strangers to lifelong friends, you all came together to help save our boy,” they said, adding that the support gave them hope during an extremely difficult period.

Although Ethan has returned home safely, the family revealed the emergency medical repatriation has left them with around GBP13,000 in debt. They said they would accept the financial burden if it meant bringing their son home safely and explained that many supporters had encouraged them to keep their GoFundMe campaign open to help cover costs and allow them to focus on Ethan’s recovery and caring for their other children.

The family said Ethan still faces a long recovery but that the continued donations, messages and prayers have given them strength. They thanked supporters for believing in Ethan and helping give him “the chance he deserves”, saying they would remain forever grateful.

Ethan’s father, Kevin Lacey, previously said his son suffered three brain haemorrhages, a broken jaw, a fractured neck and multiple fractures to his shoulder, arm and hand.

The family has continued to appeal for anyone with information about what happened to come forward. They also explained that Ethan had extended what was originally planned as a four-week holiday in Thailand because flights to the UK were expensive, but in doing so accidentally allowed his travel insurance to lapse.

Without valid insurance, the family faced substantial medical bills and the cost of arranging a specialist air transport to return Ethan to Britain, leading to the fundraising campaign that attracted widespread support. Ethan is expected to require months or years of specialist treatment and rehabilitation, with his family’s focus now firmly on supporting his recovery.

Picture courtesy of Gofundme

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Adapted by ASEAN Now 2 July 2026

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Best of luck in your recovery.

His healthcare through the National Health Service should substantially provide his medical needs but there will still be more personal costs going forward.

Better in England than remaining in Thailand.

22 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

keep their GoFundMe campaign open

Good, that he mentioned it. 👍

54 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

His healthcare through the National Health Service should substantially provide his medical needs but there will still be more personal costs going forward.

Better in England than remaining in Thailand.

Not sure about the health care in England being better irs a shambles at present

...waaaaa...the now common standard dumbass foreigner GoFundMe insurance plan...

50 minutes ago, jfeigel said:

...waaaaa...the now common standard dumbass foreigner GoFundMe insurance plan...

Why the bitterness and why do you care?
You don't have to contribute so it's no skin off your nose if others want to.

...waaaaa...the now common standard dumbass foreigner GoFundMe insurance plan...

The dumbasses are the ones that think that travel insurance covers stuff like falling out of the back of a pickup truck.

Edit: Or getting pushed. They still don't know...

4 hours ago, Hardcastle P said:

Not sure about the health care in England being better irs a shambles at present

4 hours ago, Hardcastle P said:

Not sure about the health care in England being better irs a shambles at present

He's in good hands at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. His parents aren't happy with the treatment he received in Thailand, and his father said he was warned by the Thai police not to say anything detrimental about his treatment there, or he could end up in prison.

4 hours ago, Hardcastle P said:

Not sure about the health care in England being better irs a shambles at present

Its not its getting better as Lab has funded it far more with more Medics, Nurses and resources. Most can now get Scans at weekend Hubs essential for Red Flags such as early cancer symptoms or Pneumonia etc. There are quicker diagnosis for serious issues. Labour's big majority reflected a country horrified by what Tories did to our free Health Care for all our families.

32 minutes ago, Limey125 said:

He's in good hands at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. His parents aren't happy with the treatment he received in Thailand, and his father said he was warned by the Thai police not to say anything detrimental about his treatment there, or he could end up in prison.

Outrageous!

Now, of course, he can say what he likes and I somehow hope he "spills the beans".

Hopefully Ethan will get the care he needs.

As an aside, @Hardcastle P said the NHS is a shambles, which is somewhat true, but in my own case and that of close friends, when someone has a serious problem such as Ethan, they do pull the stops out, plus there is usually transparency in what's happening. Unfortunately, it's also something of a "postcode lottery" and a lot depends on which NHS Trust controls your area. and i don't know how good Birmingham is.

6 hours ago, jfeigel said:

...waaaaa...the now common standard dumbass foreigner GoFundMe insurance plan...

You got it then?????

Best of luck to him.

As far as the NHS goes, not perfect, but sometimes they do a fine job. A few years ago. my doctor diagnosed a possible Melanoma, and referred me to a specialist. I thought it would be a couple of weeks, but appointment was in only 3 days! Upon examination, the surgeon decided it would be best to remove it rather than just a biopsy - gave me an option - appointment next week or one hour after he had finished seeing all his referrals. One hour and 30 minutes later it was all done. Subsequent biopsy was all clear, but that was what i call service.

6 hours ago, rickudon said:

Best of luck to him.

As far as the NHS goes, not perfect, but sometimes they do a fine job. A few years ago. my doctor diagnosed a possible Melanoma, and referred me to a specialist. I thought it would be a couple of weeks, but appointment was in only 3 days! Upon examination, the surgeon decided it would be best to remove it rather than just a biopsy - gave me an option - appointment next week or one hour after he had finished seeing all his referrals. One hour and 30 minutes later it was all done. Subsequent biopsy was all clear, but that was what i call service.

Similar to my experience, also some years ago.

Suspected heart attack, kidnapped straight to Cardiac ward, wired up to remote monitor 24/7 so I could walk about the ward and corridor but no further. Even taking a shower, because they had to disconnect me, a nurse stood outside the bathroom listening out. Blue-light ambulance around the M25 to Harefield hospital, so I could have an Angiogram. Sent for MRI and other scans to a very expensive private clinic across the road from the hospital.

Once that was all clear, they relaxed a bit and let me out a few days later with a bucket load of pills. Subsequently I had 8 weeks of Cardiac Rehab (2 hours a week) and to this day get annual blood tests (reminders sent to me)

I have had other, less serious issues more recently and the only complaint I might have is that for such less serious issues, obviously lower priority, appointments are hard to get. But even though my Trust is good, they're still underfunded and hence under resourced.

Hugely praying for you folks. Someday would like to see, remember Ethan(?) full recovery. 🫰

On 7/3/2026 at 10:16 AM, Hardcastle P said:

Not sure about the health care in England being better irs a shambles at present

If you are having any sort of medical emergency or need critical care, the NHS is spot on.

If you have gout, hypertension and type 2 diabetes due to a lifetime of bad diet, lack of exercise and physical neglect and can't get a doctor's appointment, what do you expect?