Barnsley man back from Thailand after being struck by rare illness

Craig Lindley from Barnsley is back home after being struck down with a rare illness when he was in Thailand.

Craig was away with family when he fell ill and faced hospital bills of £80,000 after a complication with travel insurance.

He told Calendar he applied for insurance online, but then found out the transaction failed. His family rallied to raise the money for his medical care and transport home and he is warning prospective travellers to make sure they are properly insured before going away.

A Barnsley man trapped in Thailand after being virtually paralysed by a rare condition has told Calendar he didn't realise he wasn't covered by travel insurance.

Speaking from intensive care at a hospital in Bangkok, Craig Lindley, seen here with his brother Karl, says he applied for insurance online, but has since discovered the transaction failed.

Family and friends have rallied round to pay for his treatment and flight home next week, with costs now spiralling to more than £80,000.

David Hirst reports:

You can keep up with Craig's progress on his Facebook and Twitter feeds