A British tourist is stranded in Thailand after a horror moped crash left his leg "hanging off" to end his two-week trip of relaxation in a “nightmare”.
Lewis McClelland and his friend rented bikes for a morning ride to the beach on February 2, colliding with a tuk-tuk, which "ripped through his leg”.
The 30-year-old travelled to Ko Lanta on January 16 to relax before starting a new job as a window fitter.
Horrifying photos show the tourist lying on the floor after the accident, with his leg visibly torn open, later rushed to hospital to be stitched up to stop the extreme bleeding.
Mr McClelland suffered multiple open fractures to his leg, fractures in his wrist and fingers, and facial lacerations leading to reconstructive surgery.
The window fitter claims Post Office travel insurance is refusing to cover his medical bills and repatriation back home, as he did not have a compulsory basic training (CBT) certificate for riding the moped.
However, he says he was only required to hand over his passport to the moped rental company and there was no mention of a CBT certificate, warning other tourists to be wary.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Mr McClelland's mum to raise funds to help cover the upwards of £20,000 in medical bills and get him safely back home.
Mr McClelland, who lives in Portsmouth, Hampshire, said: "This relaxing trip I never would've thought would turn into such a nightmare. It was horrific.
"I was meant to be just going for two weeks on a holiday. Just to get away from life for a bit. It was terrible and a big blur in the moment.
“I can't really remember because of the concussion afterwards. I'm still lucky to have my leg. My wrist snapped and two fingers snapped. I've got life-changing scars now all across my face.
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Lewis McClelland received roadside treatment by first responders
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"I pretty much ripped the bottom of my leg off to the point there was no pulse in my foot. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy."
The holidaymaker was rushed to A&E where he received stitches to stop him bleeding out before being transferred to another hospital for reconstructive surgery.
He now has an external fixator holding his leg together and is waiting for a second surgery before he can fly back home.
"I'm very lucky to be alive,” he added, “if they didn't act so quickly, I would've bled out. There was no way around it. It was a very, very close call.
"It's a life changing position for me. My face is lacerated and I'm quite a self-conscious person as it is.
"I was due to start my dream job when I got back. You couldn't write it."
Mr McClelland warned other holidaymakers to "read the small print” and make sure to carry a drivers licence at all times.
The Post Office has been contacted for comment.
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