A dad-of-four is in a coma after being stabbed in a popular resort in Portugal while on a stag do. Joel Collins, from Wales, was allegedly attacked in the coastal city of Albufeira in the southern Algarve region while walking home on July 4 after getting separated from his friends on a night out.
The 35-year-old was then rushed into hospital in Faro by a member of the public who came across him unconscious in the street with four deep wounds in his abdomen. Joel had suffered lacerations to his pancreas, lungs, intestines and stomach and is in intensive care after multiple separate operations, his devastated family told Wales Online.
Heidi Collins, his sister, said Joel had limited memory of what had happened to him three weeks ago, but nurses said it looked like Joel had been mugged, as he arrived at the hospital without his phone or any ID. His last memory was of getting separated from his group and getting his phone out to use Google maps to find a route back to his hotel.
News of the attack has since reached Alex Evans, from Treherbert, who was another Welsh victim who was stabbed three times and left for dead in the same area in May this year. Like Joel, Alex was on a stag do and with a group of eight friends at the resort of Albufeira when they became separated after a night out.
Joel was left with deep stab wounds and has since been placed in intensive care following multiple surgeries. He is due to have another operation on Monday.
She said: "We're just taking it day by day now." Joel's parents and his partner, Gabriella and Heidi, are at his bedside regularly. "Doctors have told mum and dad he was handed in to the hospital by ambulance," she added. "He was found by a member of the public."
The language barrier has proved difficult for Joel's family, who are still unsure as to whether the incident has been reported to the Portuguese police or not. They said they'd been asked by nurses whether Joel had reported it or not and understood the police had called the hospital to see if Joel was able to talk to them. "We are really confused," Heidi said. Despite trying to talk to police and the UK Embassy, they are still none the wiser.
"People need to be extra vigilant when they are in the resort," the family warned. "It seems like the police aren't doing anything about it. These crimes are going on and nobody is aware of it."
Alex posted on social media showing his support for Joel and said: "On May 15 this year I was stabbed three times and left for dead whilst on a stag do in Albufeira Portugal. As I've slowly been recovering I was made aware of it happening again to Joel Collins. This is upsetting to hear as his story is very much similar and my thoughts are with his family and I'm hoping he has a speedy recovery.
"After speaking to his family I want to put this out there to make people aware of the knife crime that is happening out in Albufeira as it's not being made public, and to urge people to stick together. I didn't think I would be writing a post like this so soon after it happening to me, about someone who lives so close.
"Please, if everyone could share this, as I would hate for it to have to happen to another family." The UK Embassy in Portugal and the Portuguese GNR have been contacted for comment.
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