A Wirral motorcyclist declared 'clinically dead' for eight minutes after a crash in Thailand is off on a humanitarian mission to Africa to thank the people who helped raise funds for hospital bills.

Liam Kilby was on holiday in Phuket when he crashed into a clothing shop on May 1 last year, sustaining serious injuries to his throat. He was solo travelling at the time of the accident. 

The 26-year-old, from Moreton, suffered massive blood loss and went into cardiac arrest as he was taken into the ambulance and had to be resuscitated by paramedics.

He had surgery for his throat and kidneys. He also has rhabdomyolysis - kidney failure due to the damage sustained in the crash. He was in a Thai hospital for more than a month.

Wirral Globe: Liam Kilby was on holiday in Phuket when he crashed into a clothing shop on May 1 last year, sustaining serious injuries to his throat. He was solo travelling at the time of the accident Liam Kilby was on holiday in Phuket when he crashed into a clothing shop on May 1 last year, sustaining serious injuries to his throat. He was solo travelling at the time of the accident (Image: Liam Kilby)

Liam's family flew out to see him and sister Molly launched a fundraising campaign to help pay for his medical bills. A gofundme appeal raised around £17,000 towards a £22,500 bill.

Liam, who is focusing on a career in music, has recovered 'really well' and is off to live in Africa next week. While there he will be raising money in the slums to help them out by paying for building of new homes.

While there, the team he is part of will be connecting fresh water supplies to villages, refurbishing schools, supplying food, clothes and medical treatment.

The group raised £1600 in the first 24 hours of going public.

He describes the mission as his way of trying to give back after everyone raised money for his accident.

He has already raised £1600 for his new charity he’s made and it’ll all be going to building things, providing water, schools etc in Africa

He told the Globe today: "The team I am with will be going to as many villages as we can to build as much as we can.

"This is my way of doing what I can to give back and, hopefully, people will get behind me on this.

"Everyone who supports me by donating to my work in Africa will be sent updates on what their money pays towards. 

"I've so far raised £1600 for the campaign, but aim to raise around £1million within year. Anything members of the public donate will be matched by me."

Explaining his reasons for going to help out in Africa, Liam continued: "When I was in a coma in hospital, a lot of people helped raise £20,000 for my hospital costs.

"The money was raised by family, friends and members of the public, complete strangers. People helped me out of a hole towards my hospital bills.

"I'm extremely thankful to everyone who helped me and going to Africa to do what I can to help is my way of giving back." 

Recalling the incident last year, Liam said: "I was declared clinically dead in a Thai hospital for eight minutes and left with serious injuries and a potentially life-threatening condition, but I have a blackspot on what happened during the accident on May 1 last year.

"All I know was that I was in a bad place at the time of the accident.

"I spent weeks in a Thai hospital and was very ill on the way home. I went to Arrowe Park when I came back to England, where staff tried to keep me in but I just wanted to go home.

"I've been to heaven and hell and back."

To support his charity work, message @Therarecolourlab_ltd instagram or @kilby1997@gmail.com