PHUKET: The body of a man who was killed in a motorcycle crash on Phuket has been returned to Britain - but only after a community appeal raised the cash.
Paul Ancell, 31, died in a solo bike smash on Phuket on April 21 when he lost control of his Yamaha 1000 on a bend near Wat Ladthi Wanaram in Chao Fa Road East, Chalong.
His death on the final day of Phuket Bike Week 2013 followed the deaths of two Malaysian riders. One was killed on the way to the event and the other while beginning the ride home from Phuket.
Travellers who do not have insurance often face a cash crisis if they are injured and need hospital treatment. In the case of Mr Ancell's family, it was a matter of returning him home.
According to Britain's Sussex Express, the family had to raise the money within seven days otherwise the Thai authorities were set to cremate him.
''Donations came pouring in from the community, including 500 pounds from Hastings Direct and 1500 pounds from Supreme Clean Ltd in Portsmouth after the Sussex Express reported the family's plight,'' the newspaper reported online.
Mr Ancell's mother, Kim Ridgway, 48, of Hailsham, was grateful that the 4500 pounds could be raised.
''We keep saying thank you to people, but that seriously isn't enough, but what more can we say,'' she added. ''Just thank you all for helping to bring Paul back home to his family and friends, you have no idea what it means to us.''
Mr Ancell's dream was to become a full time Thai kick boxing and cage fighter and he was training at the Tiger Muay Thai academy.
Gina Measor, who was Paul's aunt and who helped bring him up, told the Argus newspaper: ''Everyone has been absolutely amazing. We don't even know most of these people but from me and all the family I just want to say thank you.''
She described her nephew as a ''loveable rogue and a gentle giant.'' ''He hired a bike and unfortunately he had no helmet or any other protective equipment on.
''You do not think it's going to happen to you, you always think it???s going to happen to everybody else.''
Ms Ridgway said friends Chris Brown and Nick Chapman had been behind the fundraising efforts: ''We will continue to try and raise money to put into a trust fund for Paul's five-year-old daughter, Cayleigh, as she will need all the help and support she can get as she gets older.''
A Facebook page has been set up in Paul's memory. The funeral and cremation is scheduled for May 13.
To donate to the trust fund for Mr Ancell's daughter go to www.gogetfunding.com/project/paul-ancells-daughters-trust-fund
Paul Ancell, 31, died in a solo bike smash on Phuket on April 21 when he lost control of his Yamaha 1000 on a bend near Wat Ladthi Wanaram in Chao Fa Road East, Chalong.
His death on the final day of Phuket Bike Week 2013 followed the deaths of two Malaysian riders. One was killed on the way to the event and the other while beginning the ride home from Phuket.
Travellers who do not have insurance often face a cash crisis if they are injured and need hospital treatment. In the case of Mr Ancell's family, it was a matter of returning him home.
According to Britain's Sussex Express, the family had to raise the money within seven days otherwise the Thai authorities were set to cremate him.
''Donations came pouring in from the community, including 500 pounds from Hastings Direct and 1500 pounds from Supreme Clean Ltd in Portsmouth after the Sussex Express reported the family's plight,'' the newspaper reported online.
Mr Ancell's mother, Kim Ridgway, 48, of Hailsham, was grateful that the 4500 pounds could be raised.
''We keep saying thank you to people, but that seriously isn't enough, but what more can we say,'' she added. ''Just thank you all for helping to bring Paul back home to his family and friends, you have no idea what it means to us.''
Mr Ancell's dream was to become a full time Thai kick boxing and cage fighter and he was training at the Tiger Muay Thai academy.
Gina Measor, who was Paul's aunt and who helped bring him up, told the Argus newspaper: ''Everyone has been absolutely amazing. We don't even know most of these people but from me and all the family I just want to say thank you.''
She described her nephew as a ''loveable rogue and a gentle giant.'' ''He hired a bike and unfortunately he had no helmet or any other protective equipment on.
''You do not think it's going to happen to you, you always think it???s going to happen to everybody else.''
Ms Ridgway said friends Chris Brown and Nick Chapman had been behind the fundraising efforts: ''We will continue to try and raise money to put into a trust fund for Paul's five-year-old daughter, Cayleigh, as she will need all the help and support she can get as she gets older.''
A Facebook page has been set up in Paul's memory. The funeral and cremation is scheduled for May 13.
To donate to the trust fund for Mr Ancell's daughter go to www.gogetfunding.com/project/paul-ancells-daughters-trust-fund
RIP Khun Paul.
Great to hear his family will have him back and a place to mourn and remember him.
People, get proper insurance and wear a helmet. It is really wrong not to do that. To you and your family. If you cannot afford it, do not come here, because you cannot afford it.
Posted by Lena on May 4, 2013 21:16