Aberdeen mum whose son is stranded in Thai hospital ‘just wants him home’

An Aberdeen mum whose son is stranded in a Thailand hospital says that she “just wants him home”.

Kieran Angus, 27, broke his leg after a scooter accident in the Far East country on Sunday and faces a bill of £16,000 after being told his travel insurance will not cover the bill.

A Gofundme fundraising page set up to pay for his treatment and to get him back to the UK  has already raised more than £10,100.

Mr Angus’ mum, Donna, said: “He is sad, alone and just desperate to get home”.

The 45-year-old, who is a full-time carer, said she was woken up by a phone call from her son on Sunday morning when he told her what happened, reassuring her “not to panic”.

Just the night before, Mr Angus had spoken to his mum and dad David to tell them of his plans to hire a scooter.

Not insured to use scooter

She said: “Kieran, nor his friends, were aware that they needed a compulsory basic training certificate to ride the scooters, as they didn’t ask for any driver’s licences, CBT certificates or anything like that.

“All the hire company needed was one passport number and one signature for seven scooter hires, Kieran and six friends.

“They never would have hired them if they’d known that they weren’t allowed to ride them.”

‘It was the worst moment ever’

Despite the accident, which happened in the Thai town of Pai, Mr Angus was still optimistic of continuing his six-month tour of the country, as he was only a couple of weeks into it.

However, this all changed when the travel insurance was deemed invalid.

Although the travel insurance says he is covered to drive a 125cc engine, his driving licence states it is only valid up to 50cc.

Describing her feelings when she was told that the insurance was invalid, Mrs Angus said: “We’re just devastated, it was like ‘how on earth are we going to get you out of this?’ It was just the worst moment ever.”

‘Can’t believe how lovely everyone’s been, we’re just so grateful’

Mrs Angus said she has been “blown away” by the donations made on a Gofundme page started by her son’s friend Nicola Simpson.

She said: “I actually can’t believe it, it’s overwhelming. It’s just the loving kindness of everyone. We just can’t believe how lovely everyone’s been, we’re just so grateful.”

Although her priority is to get her son back home, Mrs Angus has appealed the travel insurance company’s decision and will take it further if this is rejected.