Sunday 20 November 2022 09:41 PM That's got to sting! Briton bitten by scorpion in Thailand could be forced to ... trends now
Alan Stephenson, 73, has suffered life-changing injuries after a suspected scorpion bite in a remote part of Thailand
A father from Hull is stuck in a hospital in Thailand and facing the amputation of a leg after a suspected scorpion bite.
Alan Stephenson, 73, was injured while on holiday in South-East Asia and has since developed a flesh-eating disease that has stripped the skin and flesh from his leg between his foot and his knee.
Now, his family are desperate to bring him home but face an £18,000 bill to do so.
His son Kristian Stephenson, 44, endured an arduous journey to reach his dad in a remote part of the country miles from the closest city.
When he finally reached Alan's bedside, he despaired at the conditions he found and feared for his father's life.
He said he saw cockroaches on the hospital ceiling and stray cats eating food meant for patients.
His father was in 'absolute agony' and a state of confusion, and unable to recall where his visa or documents were.
'It was like something from Banged Up Abroad,' Kristian said.
'The hospital was terrible and didn't have the resources to do anything with his leg. I thought: he is going to die here.'
Eventually, Kristian managed to move his father to another hospital, but despite a doctor in the UK indicating it may be possible to save the leg, the family is facing a huge bill to bring Alan back home because it would require employing a medical repatriation team.
Now, Kristian has launched a Just Giving page to raise the thousands of pounds required.
Kristian is no stranger to travelling all over the world, much like his mum and dad.
Alan, originally from Bilton, had travelled to Thailand to spend a few months exploring the country, but after being bitten by what he believed to be a scorpion, he contacted Kristian on November 9 to say he was in hospital and his health was deteriorating.
Alan suffers from diabetes and it is believed this contributed to his leg becoming red and swollen.
The horrific injuries have left the Hull father most likely needing an amputation, his son said
A short time later, infection set in and Alan was diagnosed with a flesh-eating disease.
He has been told amputation is the only realistic option.
After receiving the call from his dad, Kristian dropped everything to head out to Thailand.
