A British dad-of-four suffered horror injuries after being stabbed in Portugal while on a stag do.
Joel Collins, 35, got separated from friends on a night-out in the coastal city of Albufeira in the southern Algarve.
His family said Joel, who is in a coma, was stabbed without provocation in a suspected mugging while returning to his hotel.
Sister Heidi Collins said Joel, from Troedyrhiw, Wales, has undergone five operations, Wales Online reports, and is in intensive care.
Joel was found unconscious in the street by a passerby with four deep wounds in his abdomen and taken to hospital.
He suffered lacerations to his pancreas, lungs, intestines and stomach.
Heidi said her brother had limited memory of what had happened to him during the July 4 attack.
Nurses said it looked like Joel was mugged as he arrived 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.
He was left with deep stab wounds and has since been placed in intensive care following multiple surgeries.
Joel is due to have another operation on Monday.
Heidi said: “We’re just taking it day by day now.”
Joel’s parents and his partner, Gabriella, are at his bedside regularly and Heidi has been out to see her brother.
“Doctors have told mum and dad he was handed in to the hospital by ambulance,” Heidi 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,” said Heidi.
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,” said Heidi.
“It seems like the police aren’t doing anything about it. These crimes are going on and nobody is aware of it.”
It is a frighteningly similar ordeal to that suffered by Alex Evans, from Treherbert, who was stabbed three times and left for dead nearby in May.
Joel’s family have been speaking to Alex as they say they feel like they’ve been left without any help or support by the Portuguese authorities and don’t know who to turn to next.
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.
Joel’s family have launched a fundraising page to help fund their costs over the last weeks and those to come.
