Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

British father fighting for life in coma after being stabbed on Algarve stag do

Joel Collins attacked in same city where another Briton on a stag do was stabbed in May

Holly Bancroft
Monday 25 July 2022 11:23 BST
Comments
Joel Collins was attacked while on a stag do in Portugal
Joel Collins was attacked while on a stag do in Portugal (Joel Collins/ Facebook)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A British father-of-four is fighting for his life in a coma after he was stabbed in a “random attack” on a stag do in Portugal.

Joel Collins was knifed three times while in Albuferia in Algarve, according to reports. He was taken to a hospital in Faro after a member of the public saw him in the street suffering from his wounds.

His sister Heidi Collins said her brother had suffered deeps wounds to the stomach, including cuts to his pancreas, lungs, intentines and stomach.

He is now in intensive care after five different operations, she said. She said the family “were just taking it day by day now”.

It is thought that Mr Collins was targeted in a random attack while walking home on 4 July after becoming separated from his friends during the night.

Ms Collins said nurses thought her brother could have been stabbed in a mugging, as he arrived to the hospital without his phone or ID.

His last memory of the night was apparently getting separated from his friends and using his phone to look up his route back to his hotel on Google Maps.

Joel Collins is currently in hospital undergoing surgery after the horrific attack
Joel Collins is currently in hospital undergoing surgery after the horrific attack (Joel Collins/Facebook)

“Doctors have told mum and dad he was handed in to the hospital by ambulance,” Ms Collins said. “He was found by a member of the public.”

“People need to be extra vigilant when they are in the resort. It seems like the police aren’t doing anything about it. These crimes are going on and nobody is aware of it,” she said.

Another Briton was stabbed three times in the same city while on a stag do two months ago.

Alex Evans posted his support for Joel and his family on social media, saying: “On 15 May this year I was stabbed three times and left for dead whilst on a stag do in Abuferia.

“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.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in