Urgent Appeal for British Man Critically Injured in Thailand Motorcycle Crash
The family and friends of a young British man, who was critically injured while travelling in Thailand, are making an urgent appeal for funds to help save his life and facilitate his return to the United Kingdom. Tiger Duggan, who celebrated his 23rd birthday today, was involved in a severe road collision on Sunday during a motorcycle excursion.
Initially, there were fears that Tiger had died at the scene, but he was successfully resuscitated by emergency responders. He was then transported to a small hospital on the island of Koh Samui, where he was admitted with critical injuries. His condition remains grave, and he is currently unconscious and dependent on a life-support machine.
Family's Desperate Efforts to Secure Specialist Care
Tiger's family, who reside in Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, have already organised a medical plane to transfer him from Koh Samui to the capital city of Bangkok. This move was necessary to access advanced specialist care that is not available at the local hospital. The family hopes that, once his condition stabilises, Tiger will be well enough to be flown back to the UK for further treatment and recovery.
An online fundraising campaign has been established by colleagues of Tiger's mother, Lisa Duggan, who works as a neonatal nurse at Milton Keynes University Hospital. The appeal has already garnered significant support, raising over £77,000 to date. However, the costs associated with Tiger's medical care and transportation are substantial and continue to mount.
Financial Challenges and Insurance Complications
Lisa Duggan expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming generosity shown by donors, stating, 'I am overwhelmed by the huge generosity by everyone so far.' She detailed the expenses incurred, noting that £6,000 has been spent on his hospital stay and £20,000 for the transfer to Bangkok. Importantly, these figures do not include the costs of ongoing medical treatment.
Although Tiger had taken out medical insurance prior to his travels, his family reports that they are still navigating the claims process, and support from the insurer has not yet been provided. Given the urgency of Tiger's condition, the family cannot afford to wait for insurance approvals. A family spokesperson emphasised, 'The local medical facilities are unable to provide the critical care and specialised treatment Tiger urgently needs. Doctors have advised that he must be transferred to a major hospital in Bangkok for advanced medical care and specialist assessment. This transfer is urgent and essential for his survival and recovery.'
Current Situation and Ongoing Needs
The medical flight to Bangkok took place this morning, with Tiger accompanied by his mother and his aunt, Lena. His father, Kieron Duggan, a plumber, and his brother, River, have also travelled separately to the Thai capital to be by his side. Kieron Duggan remarked, 'Tiger is now in Bangkok but we still need to get him home. As you could imagine the cost is going to be incredible.'
Tiger had relocated from Milton Keynes to Perth, Western Australia, two years ago to begin what he described as a 'dream job' with the gold mining company Westgold Resources. He was travelling with a British friend when the accident occurred, having embarked on his trip on January 16.
Community Support and Political Backing
The colleagues who initiated the GoFundMe page for Lisa Duggan highlighted her dedication and compassion, stating, 'Lisa is not just a colleague to us, she is a compassionate, dedicated nurse and a deeply caring person who gives so much of herself to others every single day. Now, her family needs that same care and kindness returned to them.' They encouraged donations of any size and asked for the page to be shared widely to maximise support.
Tiger's family is also receiving support from Emily Darlington, the Labour MP for Milton Keynes Central, who said, 'I am shocked and saddened to hear about the devastating accident involving Tiger, a young man from our community who is now fighting for his life in Thailand.'
The family continues to seek additional funds to cover the costs of Tiger's eventual transfer back to the UK, as his medical journey is far from over.
