Perth man in critical condition after moped crash in Thailand | Australia news

A Fremantle man is in a critical condition in Royal Perth hospital after crashing his moped last month in Thailand on the resort island of Koh Samui.

Benjamin French, 34, was flown into Perth on an emergency medical flight on Friday night after his friends and family set up a crowdfunding page to fund his return home and to pay for his hospital treatment in Thailand, which was costing up to $20,000 per day.

French’s travel insurance did not cover the medical expenses because he did not have an Australian bike license. It is not yet clear how the crash occurred.

French, who runs a food truck business in Perth, was in Thailand to cater for a wedding when he crashed the scooter on 28 March. He was left with severe brain injuries which needed to stabilise before he could be flown back to Australia, as well as punctured lungs, broken ribs and severe skull damage. While in Thailand he underwent several brain surgeries and blood transfusions, and was placed in a coma.

His brother, Kyle Malkus, posted an update to the fundraising page early on Saturday stating French’s condition had seriously deteriorated since arriving back in Perth.

“Last night Ben experienced some complications and it is with extreme sadness we need to say goodbye,” he wrote. “Nobody had seen this coming when it was starting to look so positive, it’s still hard to grasp.”

But on Sunday morning he posted again, saying: “The fight is still on. We are still hoping for a miracle, regardless of the extent of his injuries and the complications which are continuing to arise,” he wrote. “Please keep your thoughts and prayers with Benjamin. It’s not over until it’s over.”