The family of a British man left in a coma by a motorbike crash in Thailand need £100,000 to bring him home – so he can “get the care he needs”. Okemena Sule, 30, was backpacking around southeast Asia when he was involved in a horror road accident on February 2 on the island of Ko Samui.
It is believed Okemena’s motorbike collided head-on with a car – leaving him with a bleed on his brain. He underwent emergency brain surgery but nearly a month on, he is still in a coma. Now, his family are trying to raise £100,000 to medically repatriate him back to the UK. They are raising money via GoFundMe.
Okemena’s older brother Ibs, 33, said: “This is the hardest time of our lives. It’s been very stressful. My parents and I flew to Thailand as soon as we heard and have now basically moved here. But trying to find the money for everything is incredibly draining. The hospital bill is already at £70,000 and the cheapest quote we’ve had for medical repatriation to the UK is a staggering £144,000.
“It’s disheartening but we’re just trying every avenue we can to bring him back to the UK. We’re not sure he’s getting the care he needs here.”
Okemena’s family, from London, are unsure whether or not he had travel insurance – so they are having to cover the cost themselves. Ibs said: “We don’t know whether or not he had travel insurance and the companies make it too difficult to find out. It’s impossible to access the information.
“So for now I’m just continuing to fight my brother’s cause to ensure he recovers as soon as possible.”
The Sule family have set up a GoFundMe in the hopes of raising £100,000 – which is just some of the money they need. So far, £35,745 has been donated.Ibs said: “The support, prayers, and kind messages mean the world to us. But we are still drowning in costs – and time is running out.
“Any donation, no matter how small, will help keep Okemena alive and ensure he receives the care he urgently needs. If you cannot donate, please share this campaign with your friends and family.”
To donate to the Sule family’s GoFundMe, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-okemena-urgent-icu-and-brain-surgery-in-thail