UK soldier's fall sparks fundraiser

A 21-year-old British soldier is fighting to recover from life-altering injuries after falling from Na Mueang 2 Waterfall on Koh Samui, Surat Thani, prompting his girlfriend to launch a £100,000 (4.4 million baht) fundraising campaign to cover his mounting medical bills and arrange an emergency evacuation back to the UK.

- LUCY BURNETT

The case has drawn public attention since the UK's Daily Mirror newspaper reported the accident on May 3. According to the report, Liam Gibson, 21, a serving member of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), sustained catastrophic injuries after slipping from the waterfall while attempting to take a photo on April 12.

The couple had reportedly seen the location promoted widely on social media as a must-visit spot. "It looked like a fun day out. But we didn't see the dangers until it was too late," said Lucy Burnett, his girlfriend.

Ms Burnett described the horrific moment in a GoFundMe appeal: "We were in a life-changing accident in Thailand at Na Mueang Waterfall 2 where he slipped off the edge whilst innocently taking a picture."

She said her boyfriend is a British soldier who has served for five years now and has done multiple charity events for various causes.