A GRIEF-STRICKEN family are distraught they were unable to raise enough funds in time to fly home a seriously ill Pinehurst man before he died.

Loved ones of Michael Doyle, 29, had been desperately trying to raise £30,000 to bring him back to the UK from Bulgaria on a medical flight after they realised his travel insurance didn’t cover the costs.

But the Pound Lane resident, who was suffering from blood poisoning and kidney failure, took a turn for the worse on Saturday morning and died in hospital just days after his mum Mandy and dad John, who live in Penhill, flew the 2,000 miles to be by his side.

His brother Marcus was flying home from Bulgaria when Michael died and the family had to break the devastating news to him and his sisters Libby and Michaela when he landed back in the UK.

“His organs gave up,” said heartbroken pal Vince Conti, of Gorse Hill, who was one of the friends he was on holiday with and remained by Michael’s side throughout.

“I believed he would be alright. Up until two days ago he was settled, he was in a critical condition in the intensive care unit and kept going hot and cold but he was settled and talking and had colour in his cheeks.

“But on Friday we got to a call to come up and we knew he wasn’t good. When I saw him we went in and we knew, it was like a concrete block had been thrown in my face. We went back on Saturday morning and he died at 7am UK time.”

Michael, a former Headlands School pupil, had been soaking up the sun and having a good time with his two friends but it was three days into the trip at the end of July he was overcome by a crippling pain in his abdomen.

He went to the hotel doctor at the resort in Sunny Beach and was immediately hospitalised at Life Hospital in Bourgas.

Michael had seven operations in the Bulgarian hospital and underwent five hours of dialysis on Friday night. But despite best efforts, including hospital staff working on their days off, he could not be saved.

“They spent 35 minutes trying to bring Michael back and resuscitate him,” Vince said.

“His mum and dad are completely devastated. Even the doctor was crying.

“We have still got to fly him home but it won’t be until after he has his autopsy on Monday or Tuesday.”

The money raised, which rose to more than £3,000 over the weekend, will be used to repatriate his body and his family still desperately need as much as possible to cover the costs.

Vince added: “I took him into the hospital and stayed by his side and was always checking the monitors and speaking to him. It’s been a three week roller-coaster.

“Michael lived life to the full. He knew right from wrong and would do anything for anyone.

“He was a good lad and a credit to his mum and dad."

Tributes have also been paid by hundreds of people on social media, including on the Adver Facebook page.

Karen Long said: "He had a heart of gold. Swindon will not be the same without you. You touched so many people's hearts. Everyone you met loved you."

Another added: "I went to school with you Michael! I haven't seen you in years but you was always a top fella! Rip mate! Gone way too soon."

To donate go to: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/BringMichaelhome