“We continue to need as much support as possible”
The girlfriend of a young man who is fighting for his life in Thailand after a scooter accident has shared a ‘remarkable’ update on his condition as she continues to plead for help.
Zak Forsyth was riding a scooter in the Southeast Asian country when it collided with a car earlier this month, his girlfriend Amy Elkin said. The driver took him to hospital, but the 21-year-old suffered serious and potentially life-changing injuries including two blots and a bleed on the brain.
Zak, from Huyton in Merseyside, is now in a coma in intensive care. He did not have medical or travel insurance, so all hospital and treatment costs must be covered by his family.
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Amy said Zak was sober at the time of the incident. She flew to Thailand last week to be by his side.
Amy has now shared an update on his condition via a fundraising page, the Liverpool Echo reports. She said: “Zak’s progress has been remarkable, especially considering how close we came to losing him.”
Amy described how medication has ‘successfully reduced the swelling on his brain slightly’, with other medication turning blood clots Zak had developed to fluid. Amy described this as a ‘positive development’ in the update.
She said: “Although Zak still has a long road to recovery ahead, he continues to make progress each day. I have never been prouder of someone in my life.
“While this update is positive, the hospital has made it clear that his condition could still change, depending on how his brain responds and heals. As expected, Zak is in significant pain and is receiving very strong medication to manage this.”
Amy described Zak’s injuries, saying his face was ‘severely damaged’ with multiple facial bones broken. She said he has since undergone a full facial reconstruction to repair his eye sockets, cheekbones, jaw and nose.
Amy added that metal plates have been inserted, and that Zak’s jaw has been wired shut to allow healing. She described Zak’s facial injuries as being ‘on a positive path to recovery’.
She added that Zak has undergone a tracheotomy and is now breathing independently, having earlier been placed on a ventilator, she said: “Many people have also asked about medical bills. Unfortunately, medical care abroad begins charging the moment you enter the hospital and continues until discharge.
“Costs increase daily simply for being admitted, in addition to charges for medication, surgery, ICU care, scans, blood transfusions, and all other treatments. Nothing is provided free of charge. We have also had to travel across the world to be by Zak’s side.
“We are struggling with the ongoing medical costs, especially as every bill is marked as an estimate, meaning there is no fixed or final price.”
Amy added: “We continue to need as much support as possible to help Zak regain strength before we can bring him home to Liverpool. We would be extremely grateful if people could continue sharing the JustGiving page, as we do not know what tomorrow may bring.
“If Zak’s condition worsens and surgery becomes necessary, the hospital will demand immediate payment before proceeding. This has been one of the most distressing experiences for our family, with staff standing in his ICU room with a card machine.”
She previously told how police arrived at her home to inform the family of the accident after the British Embassy identified Zak. Anyone wishing to donate to the fundraiser can do so here.
