Cork man sustains catastrophic injuries in Vietnam motorbike accident
Damien Horgan is in an induced coma in Chợ Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, after suffering life-threatening injuries in a crash on April 26. Picture supplied by family
A fundraiser has been launched for a Cork man who sustained catastrophic injuries in a motorbike accident in Vietnam.
Damien Horgan, 49, is in an induced coma in Chợ Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, after suffering life-threatening injuries in a crash on April 26.
His sister Fiona said he was in a critical condition and had to get further emergency surgery on a collapsed lung earlier last week.
She said: “He catastrophically damaged the left side of his body. He has 11 badly broken displaced ribs; had a ruptured spleen which he needed to have removed; a broken collar bone and shoulder; and he had a ruptured bronchus and several other tears to his left lung.
“He had a collapsed lung which would not reinflate, so he had to undergo more life-saving surgery for that in the last few days . . . he will need further surgery to stabilise his rib fractures once he is well enough."
She said Mr Horgan had to be transferred by ambulance from a provincial hospital as it could not cater for his medical needs as it has limited equipment and staff.
"It was like something you would see out in a war zone . . . there were babies being born in the same room. Thankfully he was able to be transferred to Chợ Ray Hospital which is the top hospital in Vietnam and they have been so proactive in his care.
He has received multiple units of blood, IV antibiotics and everything is itemised and charged for, said Fiona, who works as a nurse in Cork.
“The language barrier was also a major issue, but his friends and the Irish Embassy have been so helpful with translating and supporting us,” she said.
Mr Horgan, who is originally from Doneraile, has been living in Vietnam for the past four years and was working as an English language teacher.
Fiona said he was due to start a new job and his insurance was linked to the previous job. The family has already spent more than €30,000 on medical treatment in the past fortnight and has pleaded for the public’s help with the bills.
"His stay in the ICU alone costs approximately €1,000 a day; we had to give an advance payment of €7,800 for the surgery to apply the ECMO machine and for its usage for however many days he will need it and his surgeries are costing thousands of euro each time.”
She added that because her brother was still unconscious, a family member was needed to stay near the hospital to consent to any medical procedures on his behalf, so there is the additional cost of flights and accommodation.
“Any donation big or small would make a massive difference to us. We, as a family, were hoping to cover the cost ourselves but it is just unsustainable as his recovery will take several months and we have already paid about €30,000 in the space of two weeks,” said Fiona.
She described Damien as “a gentle soul and very kind, who would give you his last penny”.
“He loves travelling and had spent nine years in South Korea and some years in China also teaching English and he was fascinated by their different cultures. He has made many friends around the globe.”
She also praised Damien’s friends in Vietnam who have been “unbelievably supportive”.
“They have covered the cost of some medical bills and have been an absolutely massive support to Damien and our family since his accident.
“And also thank you to the amazing medical staff who have worked tirelessly to keep him alive and give him the best chance of life against so many odds,” said Fiona.
See: GoFundMe.com
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
