Kuta, Eyewitness – A Perth dad has died after he was allegedly bashed by up to four people in Bali.
Paul Dougan is understood to have been holidaying in Bali with friends when he was attacked.
Mr Dougan suffered 10 broken ribs, and had his spleen removed as part of a series of surgeries following the attack. A fundraiser set up initially for the family’s medical bills surpassed $60,000 on Friday.
Liam Dougan posted updates to his public social media accounts after the attack as his family travelled from Perth to Indonesia to support his father.
In the fundraiser, Liam said his dad “is a father of four who was in Bali on holiday when he was brutally assaulted by a group of Australians who are yet to be identified. They beat and kicked him multiple times putting him in a life-threatening condition”.
The incident happened in central Kuta. Hospital care in the ICU had been costing $4000-$5000 per day, Liam said, as doctors needed to make four blood transfusions and put drains in his lungs and abdomen.
“It wasn’t meant to be this way dad,” he shared in a post to Instagram.
“I will love and remember you for the rest of my life and I will continue to make you proud.
“I am shattered, lost, heartbroken and confused but grateful I ever got to call you my dad.”
Liam, in a previous Instagram post, claimed his father was the victim of a “brutal attack” at the hands of other suspected Australian tourists.
“My dad, Paul Dougan, also known as ‘Rabbit’ . . . has been in ICU here in Bali for the last 10 days after undergoing a brutal attack,” he said.
“It looks to be a group of four of the suspects that we’ve got (on CCTV), who were beating him, heavily, while he was on the floor, causing him to be in ICU here for the last 10 days.”
Liam said his dad was left with 10 broken ribs and says his spleen had to be surgically removed.
“Ultimately, this is going to change his life forever.”
“Our family has flown over to support Dad as best we can.”
The Dougan family launched an online fundraiser to cover costly medical bills for his father’s treatment in Bali.
It is unclear if Mr Dougan had travel insurance and The West Australian has been unable to independently verify the level of care he required before his reported death.
t is unconfirmed whether local police have made any arrests or when the assault occurred, which 9NEWS reported occurred at a Kuta bar.
Mr Dougan’s friend David Coughtrie said the father was assaulted after a confrontation at the bar.
“To have this happen to him, of all people, it’s devastating,” he told 9NEWS.
“He is not the kind of guy that would go looking for that sort of trouble.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said they were not involved in the matter at the time of publication.
The Dougan family were contacted for comment.
