Fresh hope for Australian family stranded in Japan

An Australian family that became stranded while on a dream holiday to Japan could come home as soon as next week.

An online fundraiser was set up for couple Brad and Mel, who are described as facing a “parent’s worst nightmare”, after taking their family on a trip to celebrate their son Ryan’s 18th birthday.

Ryan, who has autism and a rare neurological condition, had travelled in planes without any issues before, but in Japan he developed a sudden fear of flying and has been unable to board an aircraft.

Mel and Brad decided to send their other two children home to Australia, and they have been stranded in a Tokyo hotel for days.

They were advised that Ryan would need be sedated and taken on a medical flight to return home, with a doctor on standby.

Supporters have since raised more than $187,000 to specialist medical transport to bring Ryan home, and accommodation and living expenses while he and his parents remain in Japan.

Janelle Goulding, who set up the fundraiser, said on Friday that CareFlight would arrive in Tokyo on Sunday to take Ryan to the intensive care unit of a local hospital.

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“He will then be intubated on Monday with the intent to be flown out of Tokyo on the same day,” Goulding told nine.com.au.

“Mel and Brad will both most likely accompany him on the CareFlight.

“On arrival in Sydney, Ryan will be taken immediately to hospital to be brought out of sedation.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been contacted for comment.

Brad and Mel told A Current Affair this week Ryan is “absolutely obsessed” with Mickey Mouse, and visiting the Disney theme park in Tokyo was meant to be the trip of a lifetime.

“We just wanted to give him something for his 18th birthday,” Mel told A Current Affair.

“Being a child with autism, we can’t buy him a car or give him an 18th party that we all had and enjoyed, so his love for Mickey was my determination to take him to Tokyo.”