A STAG party on the Spanish island of Tenerife ended in tragedy when an accident left a 31-year-old dad with a fractured skull.

Family and friends of Andy Openshaw, who is now fighting for his life in a Tenerife hospital, have issued an anguished appeal for help to bring him home.

His family, who rushed to be by his side, were told he had only 48 hours to live but he has fought back and has remained in a critical condition on a life-support machine since January 31.

Andy’s wife Laura returned to the UK when the younger of their two children fell ill and, along with his friends, are desperate to raise the £30,000 needed to fly him home.

Rob Hough, a close friend of the family, said: “We were originally told he wouldn’t last long but he is still with us, he is a fighter. We found out last week how much it would cost to get him home so we decided to do anything we could to help raise the money.

“He would have to be stable enough and be on his life-support machine to make the journey so he needs to be in an air ambulance. He had travel insurance which is paying for his medical care at the moment but it doesn’t cover flying him home.

“We have been placing collection boxes in all the local pubs and shops, everywhere we can really.

The response from the community has been amazing.

“We are holding a charity night in Leigh Miners’ Club on March 21 and a comedy night at the Bowling Green in Leigh the day after.

“Some of the finer details haven’t been confirmed at the moment but we are planning to auction off sports memorabilia and other things. We just all think he should be at home.

“The last thing you want to hear when that has just happened to your son is that can’t get him back to the UK.”


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The details of the accident remain unclear but a police investigation is under way.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We can confirm the hospitalisation of a British national in Tenerife.

“We are providing consular assistance.”