Fundraising is under way in Derry to help pay for life-saving surgery performed on a young Galliagh man critically injured in a hit-and-run accident in Thailand.
Richard Quigley
Richard Quigley (27), from Ederowen Park, was passenger on a “taxi-motorbike” in Bangkok when he was hit by a passing motorbike, the driver of which drove off on Thursday last.
Richard was rushed to Bangkok hospital where underwent emergency surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain.
His older brother, Stephen, flew to Bangkok yesterday and has said Richard had awoken briefly from his coma to speak briefly and the neuro surgeon, who had 26 years experience, who carried out the operation was delighted with his progress.
Stephen said doctors expected Richard to remain in the intensive care unit for another week before being moved to another ward and added it could take months before he returned to full health.
Stephen revealed doctors said Richard would not have lived if he had not undergone the surgery and now that he had come through the procedure his chances of survival were 50-50.
Richard had been working as a barman in Bangkok for the last three years and his medical bills, such as GP expenses, were covered by his social security contributions.
However, he was not covered for the surgery carried out to save his life which is expected to be in the region of £6,000.
Stephen said his family, who lost their mother Margo to cancer in June this year, had been overwhelmed by the offers of support they had received not just in Derry but throughout Northern Ireland.
A fundraising night to raise money to help pay for Richard’s surgery will be held this Sunday, 3 November, in Da Vinci’s where he worked before moving to Thailand.
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