A devoted Sydney father is fighting for his life in a Colombian hospital after reportedly being kidnapped, tortured and stabbed more than 25 times following a music festival.
Frank Stephen Ramirez had travelled to Medellín to attend the EDC music festival, but according to an online fundraiser launched for him, the trip “turned into a horrific nightmare”.
Fundraiser organisers allege that Mr Ramirez was targeted after leaving the event, forced into a car and repeatedly stabbed.
They said he suffered eight stab wounds to his right thigh and six to his left.
Eyewitnesses reportedly saw the attackers torture Mr Ramirez as they tried to force him to surrender as much money as possible.
“When they were done, they kicked him out of a moving car and left him in the street to die like he was nothing,” the GoFundMe page said.
Colombian police reportedly found Mr Ramirez and took him to a hospital in Medellín, where he remains as he begins what is expected to be a long recovery.
“By a miracle, the police found him just in time,” the fundraiser said.
Frank Stephen Ramirez travelled to Medellín for the EDC music festival, but the trip reportedly “became a horrific nightmare”, according to a fundraiser launched on his behalf
Organisers allege that Mr Ramirez was targeted after leaving the festival, forced into a car and stabbed repeatedly
“He was rushed directly to a hospital in Medellín, where he remains, fighting for his life and beginning the long, painful process of recovery.”
Mr Ramirez’s family said he suffered horrific injuries while alone in a foreign country, thousands of kilometres from his wife and son in Sydney.
They are urgently raising money to fly his wife to Colombia, pay his growing medical bills and support the family while he is unable to work.
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“Frank is alone, terrified, and in critical condition,” organisers said.
“His wife’s presence is not just a comfort, it is essential for his will to fight and for his recovery.”
Funds raised will also go towards Mr Ramirez’s medical treatment and provide financial assistance to his family during what could be a lengthy recovery, leaving him unable to work.
The fundraiser described Mr Ramirez as a devoted father, loving husband and cherished friend who had worked hard to build a life for his family in Sydney.
“Frank did not deserve this,” organisers said.
Mr Ramirez’s family said he suffered horrific injuries and was left alone in a foreign country, thousands of kilometres from his wife and son in Sydney
“He went to Colombia with nothing but positive energy to enjoy an event he loved. He has been robbed not just of his money, but of his safety, his health, and his peace of mind.
‘Help us show them that in their darkest hour, they are not alone.
‘Every single dollar makes a difference. If you cannot donate, please, please share Frank’s story.’
As of October 6, Smartraveller advises Australian tourists to exercise a ‘high degree of caution’ when visiting Colombia.
‘We advise exercise a high degree of caution for Colombia overall,’ the website says, noting the ‘threat of violent crime and terrorism’.
