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Fundraising appeal launched for Co Antrim man stranded in Cambodia

Martin Stephen Hale died in Cambodia. Picture courtesy of Hale family
Martin Stephen Hale died in Cambodia. Picture courtesy of Hale family Martin Stephen Hale died in Cambodia. Picture courtesy of Hale family

A FUNDRAISING appeal has been launched for a Co Antrim man stranded in Cambodia after his friend was found dead on the floor of their hostel.

Martin Hale (34), from Lisburn, was found dead in a room at the Happy House Guesthouse in the capital Phnom Penh on Friday.

His friend, Dean William McWilliams (22), from Antrim town, was also found in the room.

He was taken to hospital but later discharged himself and went missing, sparking a social media appeal before he was later found safe.

The GoFundMe page now aims to raise £3,000 for the treatment and travel costs for Mr McWilliams.

It reads: "Dean was found on the streets of Phnom Penh lost, vulnerable and seriously distressed.

"Unfortunately the British Embassy were unable to assist him at all. An elderly couple through Facebook got in touch and have since taken Dean in giving him food and place to stay."

The page adds: "Dean is unable to fly alone and the wife of the couple caring for him has offered to accompany him on his travel home."

It is expected that the body of Mr Hale will be returned home at the weekend.

His mother Teresa Temple said on Tuesday night that he had suffered a heart attack after taking drugs.

She told the BBC: "I know that it was morphine tablets that he had taken and they caused a heart attack.

Colin Bell, from the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, told The Irish News: "I don't think there will be any hold up. We will be getting news of flights tomorrow and we are not expecting any until Friday or Saturday."

In 2013 Mr Hale appeared in court along with two others charged with conspiracy to supply Class B drugs.

He was also accused of having criminal property after £400,000 of suspected herbal cannabis was seized coming into Northern Ireland on a lorry from Scotland.

  •  In our report on page 10 yesterday, the photograph used was of Dean McWilliams and not Martin Hale as we incorrectly said.