An NHS doctor is fighting for his life in a Las Vegas hospital after being hit by a lorry while on holiday for a friend's wedding.
Dr Sebastian Kola-Bankole, 35, broke three vertebrae in his neck and had to undergo emergency surgery on his spine following the collision just off the city's famous gambling Strip on February 15.
His family flew out to his bedside but were immediately faced with the prospect of mounting medical bills because they could not find a record of Dr Kola-Bankole taking out travel insurance.
They have now launched a £250,000 fundraising appeal for his treatment and to fly him back home to the UK once he is stable enough to be repatriated.
So far more than £70,000 has been raised just 24 hours after the online initiative was launched.
Dr Kola-Bankole, who specialises in infectious diseases, is believed to have been hit outside the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
Las Vegas police are investigating the collision.
A close friend of Dr Kola-Bankole, who is from Camden, north London, told the Evening Standard: 'He is still in a critical condition.
'We are all doing everything we can for Seb to get him the treatment he needs and back to the UK. His family are obviously devastated by what has happened.'
Dr Pawandeep Sarai added: 'Seb is just the most selfless, giving person, everyone who has met him will know what a huge personality he has.
'He volunteers for charities, he is always giving to others. He’s a very dear friend and a very caring doctor and he needs our help to get home.'
In hospital: Dr Kola-Bankole broke three vertebrae in his neck and had to undergo emergency surgery on his spine following the collision just off the city's famous gambling Strip on February 15
Nigerian-born Dr Kola-Bankole (pictured with friends) graduated from University College London in 2008
Nigerian-born Dr Kola-Bankole graduated from University College London in 2008.
Until recently he had been based in the infectious diseases department at the Royal London, but had taken time off to go to the US for a trip.
The fundraising appeal page states: 'Sebastian Kola-Bankole is a 35-year-old British doctor who has dedicated 8 years to working in the NHS.
'Tragically, he was travelling in the United States when he was involved in an accident on Monday 15th February.
'He is currently at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Centre Intensive Care in Las Vegas where he has had emergency operations on his ears, arteries and spine and is now in a medically-induced coma.
'He is currently in a critical but stable condition; his recovery will be lengthy.'
On holiday: Dr Kola-Bankole, who specialises in infectious diseases, is believed to have been hit outside the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, off the Last Vegas Strip (pictured)
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