British tourist fighting for life in Thailand feared to be first western victim of mystery Chinese coronavirus

A UK tourist fighting for his life in Thailand is feared to be the first western victim of the Chinese flu-like coronavirus.

Ash Shorley, 32, was rushed to hospital in Phuket after a pneumonia-style bug infected both lungs while he was on Koh Phi Phi island.

He had to be ferried by specialised seaplane because his damaged lungs could not cope with high altitude travel.

Doctors in Phuket found his symptoms are consistent with the Chinese coronavirus, whose spread has triggered fears of a pandemic.

More than 40 Chinese have officially contracted  the illness with two deaths reported.

But it is feared the Chinese authorities are hiding the true scale of the problem.

Surgeons in Phuket inserted pipes into Ash’s back and drained 2kg of liquid from his collapsed lungs.

Parents Chris and Julie, both 55, are at his bedside.

Chris, of Thornton, Lancs, said: “He was two days from death.

“We are now waiting on tests. It is very serious.”

Publisher Chris, added: “If he wasn’t so fit and healthy before he wouldn’t be with us now. They think he is the first Western victim of the Chinese flu, we are waiting on tests.

“Anyone travelling to Asia I would say to you, get a mask. Everyone here is wearing masks, there are people coughing everywhere.

“It’s Chinese New Year so this flu is likely to be spreading. It is very serious.”

If he wasn’t so fit and healthy before he wouldn’t be with us now. They think he is the first Western victim of the Chinese flu, we are waiting on tests.

Chris Shorely

Ash, who has appeared in Corrie and Hollyoaks, sold his house to travel round South East Asia for a fresh start after the breakdown of a long-term relationship before Christmas.

But one week after flying out on December 19 he had to check into hospital on Koh Phi Phi and medics dashed him to Phuket as his condition rapidly deteriorated.

Former veterinary receptionist Julie flew to be with him after he text after New Year’s to say they were putting tubes in him.

She arrived to find doctors struggling to save him and Chris said: “He was two days from death. They had to get him out as the doctors there didn’t know how to treat him.

“His insurers and the top doctor agreed to fly him by seaplane to Bumrungrad. He wasn’t able to go above a certain altitude because his lungs would pop.

“His lungs weren’t working, they had collapsed from the infection caused by pneumonia. They managed to get him here and if it wasn’t for the doctors’ expertise he would be dead by now.”

Ash’s temperature was fluctuating wildly as his body fought the pneumonia and surgeons had to wait for a window to operate and remove blockages in his lungs.

After a successful op his chances of survival have increased but the once fit and healthy 6ft 14stone actor and sales manager has dropped to nine stone.

Chris said: “If he survives it will take him over a year to recover. He’s as skinny as a rake. He was a seriously fit and strong guy before this, he loved his sport, but this has totally ravaged him.