Popular Milton Keynes gymnastics coach seriously ill in hospital 5,000 miles from home

Al flew out to the island with his young protégé Sophie Fretwell in early March on a charity project to provide gymnastic facilities for children.

The pair became stranded as Sri Lanka went into lockdown due to Covid-19 and have sent regular updates home to MK via the Citizen.

But their jokes about being stuck "in paradise", surrounded by palm trees and sandy beaches, suddenly took a grim turn last week when Al started feeling unwell.

Gripped with abdominal pain, a sickness bug was at first suspected. But when he rapidly deteriorated, it was clear he needed medical help, said 20-year-old Sophie.

"I realised there was something not right," she said. "We tried, despite a curfew, to get him into local hospitals but as soon as they saw a foreigner they ushered the tuk tuk to stop and come no closer. They refused to admit or even see him."

"They are scared of Covid-19 and blame foreigners for its arrival, " she said.

The pair had no choice but to return to their base.

" Al’s health was deteriorating and he was having great abdominal pain," said Sophie. "We decided at 11.30pm to make a dash across police lines at night to reach a private hospital, thinking they are less likely to turn us away under darkness and when it was very quiet.

"We were right, and the police were not so keen to uphold us at their check points once they knew he was an ill foreigner."

Al was admitted immediately to The Asiri private hospital in the southern province of Matara.

"Within hours the police and government officials were made aware he was in a hospital. I was told I had to stay with him and I was not permitted to leave that night under any circumstances. We guessed it was because of Covid-19 and they wanted to contain us in case we were infected," said Sophie,

Al was put on two drips and given scans the following day to discover what was wrong. Doctors diagnosed a severe Pancreatitis infection and severe inflammation of gall bladder and kidneys.. He was, however, clear of Covid-19.

For a few days Al showed signs of recovery, but yesterday (Tuesday) he took a dramatic turn for the worse.

"Doctors had decided they would try to decrease the drug dosage and to change the drug he was on. These new injections were administrated at about 10.30pm local time and by 5.30am I was updated that there had been some complications," said Sophie.

"I dashed over as soon as possible, frantically worried. By the time I had got to him he had been hooked to monitors and being given oxygen. Tests have indicated he had had a reaction through the night to the new meds."

Al now has fluid on his lungs and still needs oxygen.

"It’s a worrying time for a guy that came here to give so much to so many, said Sophie. "He is feeling very unwell but is aware the concern of his daughters back home, immediate family and gymnastic friends. He has asked me via the Citizen to thank them for their well wishes.

”I will stay by his side for sure. All my life he has looked after me all around the world within my sport. Therefore I feel like I owe it to him to assist in the best way I can."