A young British man from Liverpool is in a critical condition in Thailand following a devastating scooter accident that has left his family facing enormous medical bills and an urgent repatriation effort.
Holiday Tragedy Strikes
Zak Forsyth, a 21-year-old from Huyton in Liverpool, was enjoying a holiday with friends when his trip turned to tragedy. While riding a scooter, he collided with a car in an accident that has resulted in life-changing injuries.
According to his girlfriend Amy Ekin, also 21, Zak was sober at the time of the incident. The driver of the car involved took him directly to hospital, but the extent of his injuries was severe and immediately life-threatening.
Critical Injuries and Medical Crisis
Zak sustained multiple serious injuries in the crash, including:
- A significant brain bleed requiring immediate attention
- A broken nose and fractured jaw
- A broken arm and ankle
He is currently in a coma in a Thai hospital, having undergone emergency surgery. The family managed to secure this initial treatment by putting down a £5,000 deposit, but face ongoing medical costs and the challenge of bringing him back to Merseyside for continued care.
Insurance Gap Creates Financial Crisis
Compounding the medical emergency is the fact that Zak had neither medical nor travel insurance at the time of the accident. This means all hospital and treatment costs must be covered by his family, creating a significant financial burden during an already traumatic time.
Amy Ekin, who remains in Huyton while preparing to travel to Thailand, described how the police came to their door with the devastating news. "He must have had some ID on him which the British embassy have looked at," she explained. "His friends didn't even know about it."
Community Rallying for Support
The family has launched a fundraising campaign that has seen remarkable support from their local community. A JustGiving page has already raised over £9,000 toward Zak's medical expenses, though the family estimates they need approximately £20,000 to cover both ongoing treatment and repatriation costs.
"The whole of Liverpool has rallied around us," Amy said. "He's loved by everyone around here. I've had people coming round, dropping money off every five minutes. What we have is great but it's not enough to fix everything."
Urgent Travel and Ongoing Challenges
Amy has obtained an emergency passport and plans to travel to Thailand to be by Zak's side. "I'm going over on Monday," she confirmed. "We're doing what we can. I just want him home."
Zak's mother, Mel McCourt, 47, echoed the urgent need for support: "We need as much help as we can to get him home."
Emotional Appeal for Assistance
In a heartfelt statement on Instagram, Amy described the profound impact of the accident: "This has been sudden and devastating, and like so many people, we never imagined something like this could happen to us. Our lives have been turned upside down in ways we never could have prepared for."
She emphasised the critical nature of the situation: "Time is critical, and every moment matters in ensuring he continues to receive the care he desperately needs and in getting his loved ones to his side."
The family acknowledges the difficulty of asking for financial help but stresses the urgency of their situation. "It is incredibly humbling and difficult to have to ask others for financial help, something we never thought we would need to do," Amy explained. "But right now, our only focus is doing everything possible to support him and give him the best chance to keep fighting."
All funds raised will go directly toward Zak's medical expenses and urgent travel costs for family members to be with him during this critical period. The family has expressed gratitude for any support, noting that "any donation, no matter how big or small, will make a difference and help give him the support and care he needs."
