Thread: Stuart Kyffin : Dying war hero's race against time to be brought home

Dying war hero's race against time to be brought home after Thailand motorbike crash
Chris Hughes
17 Oct 2013

Former elite sniper Stuart Kyffin, 43, suffered catastrophic head injuries - he is in a coma and may have only weeks to live


Critical: Stuart Kyffin lies in a coma after his accident - his family are appealing for help in bringing him home

The family of a dying SAS war hero are in a desperate race against time to bring him home after a motorbike crash in Thailand left him in a coma.

Former elite sniper Stuart Kyffin, 43, suffered catastrophic head injuries and may have only weeks to live.

His loved ones and former comrades are now trying to raise £100,000 to pay for the dad-of-three’s medical evacuation to the UK and his ongoing care.

Speaking in Thailand, big brother David, 46, said: “It’s been absolutely awful – we are so close. Stu is my brother but he’s also my best friend.”

But David, himself an ex-Sergeant Major, added: “Now is not the time for getting upset and crying. I need to do what I can for Stu now and get him back to the UK.”

The family and Stuart’s military pals have so far raised £27,000 – including one fellow soldier who handed over a whole month’s pension. Stuart’s medical fees in Koh Samui are £700 a day.

Bloodied but unbowed: Stuart Kyffin in Northern Ireland after being struck by a brick in an attack Now relatives are appealing for Mirror readers to help the veteran.

Liverpool-born Stuart was a Sergeant and retired from the SAS in 2005 after serving in Northern Ireland, the Balkans, Sierra Leone, the Middle East and Afghanistan.

Doctors believe the former boxer and rock climber’s fitness levels have helped to keep him alive since the crash on October 4.

Stuart was working in private security and lived in Thailand with partner Jiraa, 40, and daughter Kyraa, three.

He also has two grown-up [at]children, Danny and Kimberley, with ex-wife Christina, 42, who has donated a substantial sum.

Kimberley recently had his first grandchild.

Colonel Richard Kemp, who was Stuart’s company commander in 2 Royal Anglian before he passed SAS selection, described him as a [at]“brilliant and [at]courageous soldier”.

In a direct appeal, he added: “Stu has fought for our country. He is now fighting for his life and he needs us to fight for him.

“I would urge your readers to give whatever they can to help get Stu home.”

mirror.co.uk

And the family of yet another uninsured accident victim are left to pass the hat around in order to get him home.

Why cant these people insure themselves.

^ believe themselves to be invincible.

It costs me a little under NZ $1,000/annum for total cover life and travel insurance for Asia.

I can pay that out of 2 month's pension after living costs.

I consider it money well spent.

Half the price for 6 months, and half of that for a 3 month average long holiday in Thailand/Asia.

So for a Brit, it's quite inexpensive really, around 125 quid, or much less, about 75 < 100 quid/3 months if the non-medical bits get chopped off the plan.

Peace of mind for yourself and your loved ones, and total cover.

I wish I could help him, I hope others more financial than me can help the guy.

^ Would that cover you for motorbike?
Probably without a helmet?

Stu is improving day on day with 'expert' care
JOANNA CRAIG



THE family of a man who was tragically injured in a Thai motorbike accident have reported his condition is improving ‘gradually’ day on day.

Stu Kyffin, 43, was left in a coma after suffering severe brain trauma.

His family, some of whom live in Uttoxeter and Denstone, raised in excess of £150,000 through viral fund-raising methods online to get him home for treatment in the UK.

Fund-raisers are continuing to support the cause with recent funds being raised through a charity football match, a ‘Poachers’ march and from the sale of wristbands.

Dave Kyffin, brother of Stu, said: “Improvements in my brother are very gradual and are therefore best reported over longer periods so that progress can be better gauged.

“Whilst the onset of Stu’s physical deterioration in Thailand was very apparent and rapid his improvement since arriving in England is equally noticeable.

“There will be no quick fix, the injury to his brain is extensive and therefore the improvements we have seen are slight but encouragingly regular.

“Recently there have been a number of developments which will improve Stu’s chances of recovery, namely; the removal of the tracheostomy tube which was causing visible stress and discomfort and preventing his ability to swallow, the removal of the nasal feed tube and the terrible bedsore on Stu’s back caused by the inadequate medical care received in Thailand.

“From being close to death in Thailand I have seen some noticeable improvements in my brother.

“He now seems to be aware of movement and only in the last few weeks he has begun to track people across his room.

“Stu has shown movement in all four of his limbs, particularly in his arms and hands where he has surprised a number of people by gripping there hands forcefully.

“He has also recently shown the ability to swallow, cough, yawn and move his head.

“Stu still requires a lengthy, expert assessment in order to gauge the extent of his brain injury and also the best treatment for that injury. This assessment is carried out in only a handful of hospitals in the country and therefore places are scarce. We are currently waiting for a place to become available for Stu where this assessment can be performed and which is close to family members.”

Jiraporn Sansing, Stu’s partner, said: “Thank you to everyone who has supported Stu, it saved his life - for his little one Kyra and her big brother and sister in UK, their daddy is still alive because of the money raised.”
Those wishing to donate to the cause and get involved should search for Support Our Stu on Facebook.

uttoxeter-news.co.uk

and the terrible bedsore on Stu’s back caused by the inadequate medical care received in Thailand.

anybody know what hospital he was in on samui?

no excuse for bedsores, especially in a hospital charging 35,000b a day for treatment.

Originally Posted by Necron99

^ Would that cover you for motorbike?
Probably without a helmet?

Almost no chance of an insurance payout. Most travel medical policies exclude cover for injuries caused in motorbike accidents....and even if/when they do include coverage, a helmet is a requirement. Same with most ex-pat medical packages for those living in Thailand. Those that do cover have pretty restrictive sub-limits, usually in the form of a "meat chart". Riding motorbikes in LOS is a dangerous business.. with something like 80% of all road fatalities being motorbike riders or passengers.

I hope the guy makes it through. It's a very tough break; and a very expensive one.

I`m paying £86 per year travel insurance, for upto 3 months holiday.
I contacted my insurance company, about motorbike insurance and was told I would have to have a full motorbike license and it would be about £20 a day extra for the insurance.