Bike crash Briton, 25, 
fights for his life in Thailand

Ricky O’Brien, of Skircoat Green, Halifax, is in a coma and on life support in the northern city of Chiang Mai after suffering suspected brain and spinal injuries in the accident.

The 25-year-old had gone missing while staying with his sister Corrine and her husband Lee, and it was three days until they were able to trace him to the Maharaj Hospital’s intensive care unit and discovered what had happened.

They and Ricky’s parents Martin and Carmel are now keeping a vigil by his bedside.

Ricky’s friend Nick Bannister, 25, said: “His parents flew out as soon as they heard and they haven’t really left his side since.

“They are doing as well as can be expected. Obviously it is hard.

“His mother, especially, is taking an awful lot of comfort from that when she speaks to him there are little twitches of his mouth and eyes, like he’s attempting to move.

“There are signs of life in him and he’s a very, very strong lad.

“The most common word people keep using is ‘warrior’ – he’s an absolute warrior so hopefully that spirit will help.

“His family means an awful lot to him and it means a lot they can be there with him.”

Doctors at first believed Ricky’s injuries would leave him paralysed, but his prognosis is improving, according to online messages from his family.

Updating worried friends on Facebook yesterday, his brother-in-law wrote: “Just got back from the hospital. Ricky has had a brace put through his head, which is helping to keep his spine straight.

“The doctors think there is no spinal cord injury, and that it will eventually heal on its own.

“He remains in a coma at this time, and other procedures are planned for tomorrow.

“He moved his head when his family spoke to him, and then again a few hours later when his friends spoke. We are hoping this is a positive development.”

Ricky’s travel insurance is understood to have expired just before the accident on January 6, the cause of which is not yet clear.

His family now faces a bill of around £40,000 to pay for his care and to have him airlifted home for further treatment.

About £2,000 had already been donated last night through a fundraising website set up by his devoted friends at home.

Appealing for help, they wrote: “If you have ever met Ricky, or know anyone who knows Ricky, they will all tell you the same: he’s a genuine little cheeky chappy, full of heart and as brave as a lion.

“He gives anybody the time of day, treating everyone with the same respect and patience and is always guaranteed to put a smile on your face if you’re lucky enough to be in his company.”

“With a fond love for football and music, a large circle of friends and a very close family, he had a very active social life.

“To put it simply, we are gutted, and are organising fundraising activities to pay towards the pot.”

The case echoes that of Yorkshire teacher Adam Pickles, whose family and friends rallied to raise tens of thousands of pounds towards his Thai hospital care, medical repatriation and ongoing rehabilitation in the UK.

Mr Pickles, who grew up in Bradford and taught English at Wakefield’s Cathedral School, was attacked on his way home from a night out in Pattaya, last May.

The 40-year-old, who has a baby son, Benjamin, is still in a coma.

To find out how to help Ricky and his family, visit www.getrickyhome.com or www.facebook.com/rickyobrienfundraiser.