Thai crash victim finally able to return home to NZ

Sean Kenzie, who has life-threatening injuries, and girlfriend Amy Myles. Photo / Supplied

A New Zealand man who has been trapped in a Thai hospital with mounting hospital bills for almost a month following a motorbike crash is finally able to come home, thanks to an anonymous donor.

Tourist Sean Kenzie, 27, was riding a motorbike in Phuket on Saturday June 30 when he was involved in a collision with a taxi van.

He was wearing a helmet but suffered punctured lungs, a split liver, four broken ribs and a disfigured jaw.

Mr Kenzie's insurance company refused to pay his medical costs because they said he was not covered for riding a motorbike.

Treatment to save his life cost more than $16,000 and his family were told it would cost $50,000 for ongoing treatment and a flight back to Wellington.

So his family and friends came up with creative ways to get their son and brother back home.

His brother, Kane, auctioned off a space on his body for a tattoo to be placed, which was won by a Christian childcare centre for $1350. It chose to not have any tattoo placed on him.

Kane's friend, Michelle Carlton, made $1300 for the cause by auctioning off a blind date with herself.

Today Phuket Wan News reported an anonymous donor had come to Mr Kenzie's aid and had paid for a medevac flight to New Zealand with a doctor.

"Details have to be confirmed but I'm delighted to hear the news and I hope it all goes according to plan,'' Mr Kenzie said.

It was reported he could be boarding a plane today.

The 27-year-old, who had been working in Perth, said he took out the highest level of insurance coverage, and remained angry at the insurance company.

"I've been put through the wringer,'' he said.

He did not know which hospital he would be taken to in New Zealand.

He still required his broken jaw to be broken and reset, and expected to have more surgery on his collapsed lungs and damaged knee.