A TRAVELLER who has spent weeks fighting for his life in an Indian hospital is due to come home today after a public appeal raised £45,000 to charter a private plane.

Sean Connolly, 26, who grew up in Liden before moving to London, set off for a two-week holiday in October but was found collapsed in the street the next day and has since been critically ill in a coma.

How the former Dorcan Technology College student sustained his injuries is a mystery as he cannot speak, although it is not thought he was attacked as he has no marks on his body.

He had no travel insurance and it was costing up to £1,000 a day to keep him in intensive care in a Mumbai hospital. Sean’s father, Martin, flew out to be with his son and organise his treatment, while his family and friends launched a fundraising campaign to bring him home.

The campaign drew massive public support from Swindon and across the UK.

His friend Stewart King, 27, said the private flight was due to leave India at 7am GMT today and was due to touch down in the UK in the afternoon.

Sean will then be transferred to Swindon’s Great Western Hospital for treatment .

“It means the world,” he said. “We understand this is only the beginning and it’s a long road from here but I speak to his dad every day and we just cannot wait to see him.

“And with his dad being there on his own for two weeks, he has been through it all.

“It’s time for his dad to take a bit of a break and allow family and friends to help out a bit more.

“We know we’re still a long way away from where we want to be but it’s a massive step in the right direction.”

Stewart said British firms had originally quoted £60,00 to £100,000 for the flight, but Sean’s father found that an Indian firm was cheaper due to exchange rates. He said the £45,000 would just about cover the flight and his hospital treatment.

Stewart said a group of friends would go to see Sean at the Great Western Hospital on Sunday after his family had visited on Friday and Saturday.

On the fundraising campaign, he added: “On behalf of his family and friends, I would like to say a massive thank you. “It definitely wouldn’t have been possible without the support and the donations we received.

“So it’s only through the generous donations that we’ve received from all manner of people and places that we’ve been able to get to this point.

“And in particular, thank you to the people of Swindon because I know there have been various fundraising events and people collecting at the football.

“And on behalf of his family I think it’s safe to say a massive thank you to everyone in Swindon.”