Virus girl’s dad thanks supporters

A SERIOUSLY ill Scots woman stranded in hospital in Thailand is finally being brought home.

Rebekah Fulton, 25, from Paisley, was in a Phuket hospital after being struck by a mystery virus which has affected her brain.

Thail medics were unable to diagnose her condition and there were problems with her medical insurance because she had been granted a work visa which changed her status to a “non-tourist”.

It is thought she may be suffering from encephalitis or meningitis but doctors there were unsure.

Rebekah’s dad James Geddes, 48, from Barrhead, flew out to be at her bedside. After speaking to doctors, he was fearful that she may develop a brain abscess and need surgery.

With no specialists in neurosurgery on the island, he decided to crowdfund to bring Rebekah home. The funding BY MICHAEL PRINGLE reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk effort exceeded its target of £25,000 in less than two weeks but arrangements to fly her couldn’t be finalised due to the Thai New Year celebrations.

But early yesterday, doctors gave the go-ahead, granting a certificate to fly.

On the GoFundMe page, James wrote: “I thought I’d let everyone know that the medical team have taken over Rebekah’s care and her fitness to fly certificate was signed off by the doctor in Phuket yesterday afternoon.

“All being well today, we are looking at a flight later tonight or early tomorrow with Rebekah being transferred by ambulance to hospital on our return.”

He added: “Once again I’d like to thank everyone for their support throughout this very difficult time for Rebekah and I will provide further updates when I can.”