.svg)
British tourist Alex Waddington, 42, has been killed in a motorbike crash in Thailand, prompting a family fundraising appeal that has so far raised £2,375 from 77 donations towards a £5,000 target. Waddington, a building worker from Birkenhead, Merseyside, who lived in Liverpool, died last week while holidaying in the country his family described as his “happy place”. His relatives are now seeking to repatriate his body to the United Kingdom so they can give him what they call the full send-off he deserves, with family friend Lyndsey Morton leading the campaign.
Daily Dazzling Dawn understands that the fundraiser, titled “Would be so grateful for any support please guys xxx”, had attracted 77 separate donations at the time of writing, equivalent to roughly 48 per cent of its £5,000 goal and leaving a shortfall of £2,625 against the stated target. The campaign page was still accepting contributions at the time of publication.
Morton described Waddington as “like a little brother” and said he was “full of life, full of fun and was loved by everyone”. She told journalists: “But sadly, on holiday last week, his life was so tragically ended in a motorbike accident in Thailand.” She added: “Obviously, repatriation to enable the family to give Alex the full send-off he deserves comes at a cost. So I'm asking everyone who knew him, or had any pennies to spare, to help me help this poor family, who are naturally heartbroken.”
Waddington’s niece, Tilly Mae, also appealed for support, telling journalists: “My uncle Alex unfortunately lost his life in a road traffic accident in Thailand earlier this week. We are aware times are hard right now, but to bring him back home to the family will amount to a lot of money. Even if it's a couple of pounds, it will all go a long way.”
The death comes months after another British national, Darren Cummins, 34, from Falkirk, Scotland, was seriously injured in a motorbike collision in Thailand on 13 June. Cummins, who moved to Thailand in 2015, said he was involved in a 100kph collision with a car that allegedly performed a U-turn into oncoming traffic. He said his ankle and five inches of his tibia were smashed and that his leg was left “dangling off”.
Cummins told journalists: “I'm living a nightmare right now, I still can't wrap my head around the fact that this has happened to me.” He added: “I was in and out of consciousness, I was in shock, I was thrown approximately 30 yards from my motorbike.” He recalled seeing his “leg just dangling off” and “was screaming uncontrollably”. His medical bills reached £22,000, according to the account, and he said the incident turned his and his girlfriend’s life “upside down”.
Daily Dazzling Dawn understands that Thailand’s roads present particular risks for foreign visitors, especially those using rented motorcycles and scooters. British travellers are routinely advised to check that their travel insurance covers motorcycle use, that they hold the correct licence, and that they wear a helmet, although enforcement and rental-operator checks can vary widely across tourist areas.
Daily Dazzling Dawn understands that the Waddington family are working through the consular and logistical procedures required to release Alex’s body from Thai authorities and arrange transport to the UK. Those processes typically involve coordination with local police, hospital authorities and the British Embassy in Bangkok, as well as the engagement of a specialist international repatriation firm. The timeline can range from several days to several weeks depending on the circumstances and documentation.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has been approached for comment. British nationals requiring urgent assistance overseas can contact the FCDO’s consular helpline, which operates around the clock.
For Morton and the Waddington family, the immediate priority remains financial. The £2,375 raised so far is a meaningful contribution but falls well short of the likely total cost of repatriation, which routinely runs into five figures for British nationals dying in Thailand. With the fundraiser still open and donations continuing to arrive, the family’s hope is that the wider public, particularly in Liverpool and Birkenhead, will rally to ensure Waddington is returned home.
