Ashton Jones, 29, is believed to have been violently attacked before requiring emergency brain surgery with his family now desperately working to bring him back home
A British tourist who vanished during a last minute trip to Thailand has been found alive on life support in hospital. Ashton Jones, 29, booked a trip to Bangkok and became separated from his pals as they explored the city on a night out.
His family had no idea what had happened to him before he wound up in hospital requiring emergency brain surgery. Ashton is now fighting for his life some 6,000 miles away from his home. His concerned grandmother Beverley Walker, of Cwmbran, South Wales, is not desperately trying to raise funds needed to pay for his care and bring him back home.
She said her grandson travelled to Thailand with a long-term friend on May 30 and met with another pal after they touched down in the South East Asian country. But just five days into the trip, Ashton’s family were given the devastating news that he had vanished while the group was out partying.
His friends spent several hours searching for Ashton after he went missing from a nightclub they had been in, Wales Online reports. Ashton, who also suffers with epilepsy, was later found in a hospital in the country with medics believing he had been violently attacked.
Beverley said: “I am deeply concerned that without immediate financial or diplomatic assistance my grandson may not survive. The emotional toll on our family is immense. We are heartbroken and fearful, watching from afar while Ashton suffers without the care he urgently requires.”
She said on Monday, about a week since Ashton went to hospital on June 3, that staff at Chonburi Hospital had tried to wake him up. She added: “It was a success but he still has a long way to go.
“He’s bedbound and suffering with fits, cannot talk, eat, or drink and isn’t aware. We all as a family are worried sick with fear for Ashton and how we can bring him home.”
Ashton’s treatment and cost to bring him home far exceed the amount his family have on hand. Beverley said Ashton “did the unthinkable” and travelled without taking insurance. His family has since set up a GoFundMe page in a bid to raise the £50,000 needed to cover his treatment and transportation back to the country.
“The hospital in Thailand is asking for the cost of his treatment on going that is far beyond what our family can afford,” the distraught grandma added. “In the meantime Ashton’s condition continues to deteriorate and it feels as though we are being left helpless as time runs out.
“We have already put together life savings for medical bills, flights, travel, accommodation to be with him but would never be able to afford to get him home to better health care and his family. We all as a family are worried sick with fear for Ashton and how we can bring him home.
“So please any donations made towards getting Ashton home is appreciated beyond words can describe. From the bottom of our hearts thank you.”
