A FAMILY has been left in a state of anxiety after learning that their family member has been placed in an induced coma thousands of miles away.

After living and working in Mongolia for the best part of twenty years, David Western's family was given a heartbreaking call last week that he "had an accident" and was taken to hospital.

It was later confirmed that 56-year-old David, who is originally from Plymouth but moved to St Helens with his family, had suffered a stroke and placed in an induced coma. He has remained in a coma for the past week.

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St Helens Star: David has been living and working in Mongolia for around 20 yearsDavid has been living and working in Mongolia for around 20 years (Image: Emma Western)

While there has been difficulty in communicating with the Mongolian hospital and British Embassy, the Western family has been informed that the medical bills alone are estimated to cost upwards of £20,000.

As a "last resort", the family has organised a fundraising page to help with the astronomical bills and fly David back home to St Helens.

David's niece Emma said: "It's been a nightmare over the past week, and just awful for my nan whose son is in a coma so far away from home.

"Not a lot of people speak English there so it's been really difficult to communicate and understand his condition. 

"The information we have had from his friends and the Embassy is that he is still in a critical condition in an induced coma.

"We have been told that estimated medical bills will cost around 20,000 so we presume he does not have health insurance there.

"We didn't really want to set up the fundraiser but we didn't have any other options. It is a last resort and we felt like it was time to try to get him home."

St Helens Star: More than £1,500 has been raised to fly David homeMore than £1,500 has been raised to fly David home (Image: Emma Western)

Highlighting an incredible show of support from friends, family, and people in the community, the fundraiser has raised more than £1,500 in less than 48 hours.

Many have also sent words of encouragement for the "truly good man" and "cherished friend", as the Western family hopes to raise as much money as possible and fly David home quickly and safely.

To support the Western family's fundraiser to fly David home, you can do so here.