British dad trapped in Thailand with flesh-eating disease after 'scorpion' bites leg

21.11.2022 - 16:35 / dailyrecord.co.uk

A British dad has been left trapped in Thailand with a flesh-eating disease after a 'scorpion' bit his leg. Alan Stephenson, 73, has seen the horrific disease strip the skin between his foot and knee leading to him potentially needing his leg amputated.

The 73-year-old from Hull had travelled to Thailand to spend a few months exploring the country. But his dream trip turned into a holiday from hell after being bitten by what he believed to be a scorpion, reports Hull Live.

Alan contacted his son, Kristian, earlier this month to inform him that he was in hospital with his health deteriorating. The 44-year-old rushed out to see his father and endured an difficult trip to a remote hospital where his father was being treated.

Kristian says the torrid conditions at the medical facility had him fearing for his father's life. He said: "It was like something from Banged Up Abroad."

"The hospital was terrible and didn't have the resources to do anything with his leg. I thought: he is going to die here."

"His leg looked horrendous, but because he wasn't being turned over or helped out of bed, he had bed sores that were just as bad."

The 44-year-old made the decision to move his father to another hospital in order to receive better treatment. Doctors at the new facility have said that they will be able to remove the infected leg.

However, Kristian claims that they have already postponed several planned operations already, meaning they continue to rack up hospital fees. Meanwhile, they have been giving a potential lifeline, with a UK doctor stating that they may be able to save the leg if the family can get Alan home.

The son has asked for help from the British Embassy to bring his dad back to the UK but says he has had little success.