£30k mark reached to help coma victim
8:20am Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in Latest News By Scott D'Arcy
Sean Connolly
DONATIONS have topped £30,000 for a man lying critically ill in an Indian hospital, as family and friends attempt to fly him home.
Sean Connolly, 26, has spent the past week in a coma with brain damage, a fever of the brain and respiratory problems after being found collapsed in the street in Mumbai.
How the former Dorcan Technology College student sustained his injuries is still a mystery because he cannot speak, and his family have been struggling to overcome the language barrier.
Sean, who grew up in Liden before moving to London, set off for a two-week holiday on the sub-continent but had no insurance – and it is costing up to £1,000 a day to keep him in intensive care in a country where high-quality treatment has to be paid for.
He is said to be improving daily and is now beginning to breathe on his own, as his father and several friends stay by his bedside.
A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said last week they were in contact with his next of kin and the hospital authorities, and are providing consular assistance.
Close pal Nikki Loveday said: “It’s going really well in terms of fundraising. Swindon Town Football Club let people collect with buckets at the game on Saturday and the response has been unbelievable.”
Friends wrote on Sean’s fundraising website last night: “Sean has shown massive progress today. His temperature is under control and his respiratory life support machine has been set to semi-automatic.
“This is so promising as it means he is beginning to breathe on his own. “We have been advised by doctors that while he is making such good progress it is not a good idea to move him.
“We feel it only fair to keep everyone fully up to date on Sean’s status and how the funds are being used. Up to date donations have been used to cover Sean’s private hospital bills, along with any further bills for medication.
“Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of everyone involved we are now in a position where we can move quickly and adapt to whatever Sean’s needs may be.
“The donations will continue to pay for his medical expenses and we will keep you update you when we can. We are all hugely grateful to everyone who has contributed.”
For updates on Sean’s condition visit http://pledgie.com/campaigns/18410
Comments(5)
Highworth Lad
says...
12:07pm Tue 23 Oct 12
The Real Librarian wrote:Sorry have to agree, however I hope he gets home soon. Hope this will be a reminder to all going abroad for what ever reason.
QUOTESean, who grew up in Liden before moving to London, set off for a two-week holiday on the sub-continent but had no insurance – and it is costing up to £1,000 a day to keep him in intensive care in a country where high-quality treatment has to be paid for. UNQUOTE Ironically it would have cost him about £75 for comprehensive single trip insurance which would have covered everything that his family are now struggling to afford, including repatriation to the UK with medical staff in attendance. Never go abroad without travel insurance, and always get the full package. Basic cover is a false economy.
Kaytow
says...
8:20pm Tue 23 Oct 12
Have just bothered to see all the responses he has received, and the type of people that have become involved.
As hopefully the importance and awareness of having travel insurance would now hit home to a great deal other youngsters and oldies that would by accident, forgetfulness or just not knowing that insurance exists.
And you smug lot of “I told you so’s” You will be surprised just how many young people would not give it a thought. Or other people who do not understand about it.
The more youngsters that become aware of the importance of Insurance the better. Luckily this Lad has a great deal of friends, to help him. Others who forget to insure them self’s may not.
So please stop going on about how silly he was, and think of all the silly things you have done in the pass, and donate.
As he could well have been one of your friends or relatives.
timt1964
says...
8:57pm Tue 23 Oct 12
Kaytow
says...
2:34am Wed 24 Oct 12
The Real Librarian says...
11:33am Tue 23 Oct 12
Ironically it would have cost him about £75 for comprehensive single trip insurance which would have covered everything that his family are now struggling to afford, including repatriation to the UK with medical staff in attendance.
Never go abroad without travel insurance, and always get the full package. Basic cover is a false economy.