Desperate plea to bring Aussie home after motorbike crash in Vietnam
The family of a Cairns man who was working as a tour guide in Vietnam when he became critically injured in a motorcycle crash, has made a desperate bid to bring him home for medical treatment.
Luke Rampal spent the bulk of his time in Asia volunteering to help rescue children who have been trafficked for sexual slavery or labour exploitation, but now the Aussie is leaning on others to help him after breaking his spine and shoulder.
“Luke’s a loyal, generous, loveable son, brother, uncle and friend who would give the shirt off his back to a person in need,” his family said on the website Bring Luke Home.
Mr Rampal, 42, suffered a break to his C3 and C4 vertebrae in the crash at Hoi An on October 8.
He was then transferred to Bangkok, in Thailand, for life-saving surgery, however it is unknown how badly his spinal chord is damaged.
“He has no feeling and movement on his right side, and minimal feeling on his left side. His shoulder is also broken,” his family said.
His family are raising funds towards his medical expenses including scans and surgery – with plans to bring him home for further treatment.
So far medical expenses have exceeded $95,000.
“This has included medical evacuation, emergency surgery and all pre- and post-operative care,” his family wrote on the website.
“Daily, Luke’s care costs continue to accumulate and cannot be sustained for much longer.
“The immediate goal is to bring him home to Australia so he can continue to get medical care, surrounded by the love and support of his family, friends and community.”
Mr Rampal’s family is planning to bring him back home as a stretcher patient on a commercial flight to Brisbane by October 22, supported by a medical team.
His sister Shay has set up a GoFundMe account, which has so far raised almost $39,000 of its $300,000 goal to help with the costs to get her brother home.
