A FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN has been set up by the family and friends of an Irishman who was critically injured in Guatemala last week.
Eoin Sheehy, from Lagore in Co Meath, suffered serious injuries after falling about 30 foot off an exposed ledge in San Pedro La Laguna last Friday evening.
Eoin’s older brothers Brian and Paul have flown out to Guatemala to be with him.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie today, Brian said Eoin has had major surgeries to correct bleeding on brain, and has not woken up from an induced coma. He has a number of injuries including a collapsed lung.
Eoin was initially treated at a local hospital before being airlifted to Herrera Llerandi hospital in Guatemala city, where he remains in a stable but critical condition.
Eoin, a former student of Trinity College Dublin, had been working in London before taking leave from his job to go travelling in January.
This day last week a friend who has been travelling with Eoin for the past two months realised he didn’t come back to the hostel they were staying in. He called the local hospital and found him.
His 26th birthday
Brian said his parents received the news via a phone call early on Saturday morning, while at a family wedding.
This is the worst nightmare for any parent or loved one.
Saturday was Eoin’s 26th birthday.
Brian told us the last few days have been traumatic, but the brothers are trying to keep busy and looking into the possibility of flying Eoin home to continue his treatment here.
He said there are “huge language issues”, but luckily Eoin’s neurosurgeon speaks English. Brian praised the medical staff at the hospital, saying Eoin is receiving the “best care possible”.
This will resonate with a lot of people in Ireland who have a family member or friend travelling or living abroad.
Brian said his family have been “quite astounded by the reaction” to the online fundraiser – which has collected €17,000 to date.
He noted that the money will be used for Eoin’s rehabilitation, adding that if any funds are left over they will be donated to a relevant charity. Eoin’s travel insurance is covering his current treatment.
To make a donation to the fund, click here.
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