Salford man, 20, fighting for life after quad bike crash on first day of lads' holiday to Zante
Bradley Belhomme suffered catastrophic head injuries after a collision with a coach and is now in a coma in Athens. Doctors have twice tried to wake him without success, and his family say they are "like a fish out of water."
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The family of a 20-year-old Salford man have issued a desperate plea for help after he was left fighting for his life following a quad bike crash on a lads' holiday to Zante.
Bradley Belhomme suffered catastrophic head injuries after a collision with a coach on Friday (July 3), just one day after flying out to the Greek island with friends. He is now in intensive care and in a coma after being transferred to a hospital in Attica, Athens.
His mum Leanne Rabbetts told the MEN: "He went on the holiday on Thursday and everything was fine. I spoke to him when he arrived, but then on the Friday afternoon I got the call saying there had been a crash."
She said: "He has serious head trauma so he's getting better care there. I flew out on Sunday as soon as I could and have been here every day. We can only spend half an hour with him."
Leanne said doctors tried to bring Bradley out of a coma but he was not responding. "Then they tried again to wake him up today and he had two fits. They don't know if it's a bleed on the brain, so he has to have an MRI scan to see the damage, but he isn't responding at all at the moment."
How did it happen?
Leanne said: "All I really know is that he's been on a quadbike with his friends, and they've all rented them. As he's turned around a corner, I've been told there's been a crash with a coach."
His friend who was sharing a room with him stayed with him in hospital in Zante and accompanied him when he was transferred to Athens.
What is the family facing?
The family believe Bradley had travel insurance but have not been able to confirm details as they do not have access to his phone. They have been in touch with the British Embassy for support.
His uncle Adam said: "Because of the head trauma, we don't even know when he will be able to come home or the situation. We can't do anything. We are just waiting for the scan and trying to make sure everything is covered, because if the insurance is invalid it's a big bill."
He added: "The local community and friends have all donated and have been brilliant. Bradley is a loveable lad who has gone away to have a lads' holiday and enjoy himself. He's a hardworking boy and unfortunately, being young, you often make the wrong choices."
Adam described the family's situation in Athens: "Out here there's a huge language barrier. He's in intensive care and we have to wear full PPE to see him for just half an hour. We are like a fish out of water."
Friends and the local Salford community have organised fundraising events and walks to help cover potential hospital bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened to Bradley Belhomme?
- The 20-year-old from Salford was involved in a serious collision with a coach while riding a rented quad bike on holiday in Zante, Greece.
- Where is he currently being treated?
- Following the crash, he was transferred from Zante to a hospital in the Attica region of Athens, where he remains in intensive care.
- How is the local community helping?
- Friends and residents in Salford have set up online fundraisers and organised sponsored walks to help the family cover potential medical and repatriation costs.