Yahoo News Stepdad in coma after being 'punched' on holiday in Benidorm
A man is fighting for his life after he was allegedly punched outside a nightclub in Benidorm.
Andrew Frazer travelled to the Spanish town for his brother Ian's birthday celebrations on November 13. The 43-year-old hadn't even been in the popular resort for 24 hours when by 1am, sister-in-law Claire Howard said Andrew was knocked unconscious in the street and rushed to hospital with a head injury.
The stepdad-of-two from St Helens did not have travel insurance and Claire said his wound was stapled and was sent back to the hotel without a CT scan. However, the following day saw his condition worsen and Andrew was taken to another hospital where a scan revealed a serious bleed on the brain.
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Claire told the ECHO: "The first I knew about it was when Ian rung my sister Carrie to say Andrew is in hospital. Carrie rang me, I booked us flights and we got there on Saturday morning.
"Andrew couldn't talk, couldn't communicate. He was sleeping all the time, and when he would wake up he was constantly holding his head, and it was so upsetting because he just couldn't speak at all."
On Tuesday, November 19, Claire returned to Merseyside whilst her sister Carrie remained in Benidorm at Andrew's bedside. She said: "I landed back in the UK at 5pm, and by 10pm he was in for emergency surgery because the bleed was that bad.
"They've taken part of his skull away and they've put that in a freezer, because they can't put it back on yet. His hands are strapped down to make sure he doesn't touch his head, because his brain is exposed."
Andrew had to undergo an emergency craniotomy, a surgical procedure removing part of the skull to access the brain. He is still in hospital in an induced coma and is fighting for his life.
His friend, Shaun McKeegan, has set up an online fundraiser with the aim of raising the £28,000 needed for a medical flight home.
Claire said: "Andrew may have to go into some type of care home for rehab - he can't walk, can't talk. The fundraising is for a medical flight, which we have been quoted between £25,000 and £28,000. You worry about how you are going to do this, how you are going to get the funds.
"Andrew's mum and dad are pensioners, they don't have passports, so they're sick with worry. It's been awful. We're just trying to hold things together as a family, keep in contact with each other and carry on.
"Because Andrew is in the ICU, you're only allowed to visit for one hour and only one person is allowed in. Carrie wants to spent all her time with him, but Ian is his brother and wants to be there as well. Ian hasn't come home since it happened. He's been there constantly.
"I know its a difficult time for everybody at the moment, but if anybody could help, no matter how big or small the donation is, I cant explain what it would mean."
Andrew's fundraiser has already brought in more than £12,000. His friend Shaun KcKeegan said: "It's times like this that bring the best out in us, we all care and want to help.
"Please send any money you can spare, no matter how big or small it all counts. Let's try and take some pressure of the family and get Andy back on he's feet and home where he belongs. Andrew and his partner Carrie have twins and just two weeks ago they got engaged."
