Bradley Belhomme, a 20-year-old from Salford, is fighting for his life in a Greek hospital after a horrific quad bike crash on the island of Zante. His mother, Leanne Rabbetts, has provided a sad update on his condition, revealing that he remains in a coma on a ventilator and has developed pneumonia.
Crash Details and Immediate Aftermath
Bradley flew to Zante with friends on July 2, and the following day, the group rented quad bikes. According to his family, Bradley's bike collided with a coach. A friend who was also on the bike was rushed to hospital, while Bradley sustained serious injuries. He was initially treated at a hospital in Zante before being transferred to an intensive care unit in Attica, Athens.
Medical Condition and Attempts to Wake Him
Doctors have attempted to reduce Bradley's sedation and wean him off the ventilator over the past week, but these efforts have been unsuccessful. Leanne said: "We've had another update from the hospital. He still hasn't woken up. They've tried to pull him out but he still isn't breathing on his own. This morning, they have tried to reduce Bradley's sedation to wake him up again. He has also now got pneumonia."
Repatriation Plans and Financial Burden
The family is now working to bring Bradley back to the UK, with plans to repatriate him to Salford Royal Hospital. The Greek hospital has agreed to the transfer, but a specialised medical flight with medics and a ventilator is required, costing £41,000 if it takes place this weekend. Leanne explained: "Because he's still on a ventilator, he has to have the private air ambulance with the medics. We don't think he will have been insured because he was on the quad bike. I've come home to go through all the documents and sort through it with the British Embassy. It's just about getting him home now so he can be cared for over here, and we have to fund that ourselves."
Community Fundraising Efforts
Friends and the local community have launched fundraising events and walks to help cover hospital bills and travel costs. A fundraising page update on Thursday said: "Athens Hospital ICU have said it is in Bradley's best interest to fly home but as you are all aware this costs more money we have to find another 12,000 pounds to reach our new target. We are pleading if possible we can all together help as I know you all amazing people have been doing so... we would be forever grateful."
Leanne previously told the Manchester Evening News: "I flew out on Sunday as soon as I could and have been here every day. We can only spend half an hour with him. All I really know is that he's been on a quadbike with his friends, and they've all rented them. As he's turned around a corner, I've been told there's been a crash with a coach. We didn't know how serious it was until we got here."
