Portugal stag do stabbing victim recovering after sixth op

A man who was stabbed while on a stag trip with friends in Portugal is recovering after his sixth operation.

Father-of-four Joel Collins, 35, from Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, was on holiday in Albufeira with friends when he was stabbed four times as he walked back to his hotel on 4 July.

His mother Sue Bridges said the surgery on Monday went well but her son would remain in a medically induced coma.

BBC Wales has contacted the police in Portugal about the incident.

Ms Bridges, from Quaker's Yard, Merthyr Tydfil, has been at her son's side for the past three weeks and intends to stay in Portugal until he is ready to fly home.

Speaking on Tuesday, Ms Bridges said: "I saw him yesterday afternoon and I spoke with the doctors who said that the infection is still there but they flushed him out and changed his dressings.

"But the positive news is that the pancreas is not leaking and so we have got to wait a few days then maybe he will have to have another surgery to check his inside again."

Speaking on Monday, prior to his latest surgery, Ms Bridges said: "My boy is my world and I have been by his side every day for three weeks.

"I am not going anywhere until he comes home with me."

"It is the most horrendous experience of my life but what his sister, his partner and I are going through is nothing compared to what Joel is so that makes me stronger."

Ms Bridges said her son had injuries to his left lung, pancreas, bowel and thorax.

"He has been awake, he is a fighter but they had to put him in a coma for this operation. He understood what was going on," she explained.

She said the British Embassy told her the criminal investigation was under way but the police had no CCTV footage of the attack.

"They only took his phone and some cash," added Sue. "He didn't have much on him - about €100 (£84.60)."

Mr Collins, who works for Network Rail, went up a side street after leaving the bar and was looking at Google maps on his phone when he was attacked, his mother said.

She added he would want a message sent out warning people on stag dos "to stick together, don't wander off... make sure you go out together and you all go home together".

"I don't want this to happen to anyone else," Ms Bridges said. "I don't want any family to go through this again."

An online crowdfunding page has raised almost £8,000 so far.

Friend and fundraiser Craig Howells wrote on the fundraising page: "Joel is battling bravely to recover in hospital in Portugal whilst his family are at his side supporting him.

"We are looking to raise awareness for those travelling this summer to safe, as well as looking to raise funds for the family during this horrific ordeal."

The page has been set up to pay for future costs, but it will not be needed for medical bills as he was insured.

"You never think this kind of thing will happen to you but they are insured," added Ms Bridges.

She said Joel's partner, Gabriella Sidoli, has been over to see Joel but also has to look after their three boys, aged six, three and one.

"The oldest boy is now asking after his father," said Sue, "and he is missing his football buddy."

Mr Collins, originally from Troedyrhiw, Merthyr Tydfil, also has an eight-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.

BBC Wales has contacted the police in Portugal about the incident.

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office said: "We are supporting the family of a British man following an incident in Portugal, and are in contact with the local authorities."