A LEADING conservation expert who is in a coma on life support after she was infected with a virus is expected to be flown home from Thailand later this week.

Sophie Williams, a lecturer at Bangor University, is in a Bangkok hospital after becoming infected with Japanese encephalitis, while conducting research in South West China, earlier this month.

The 31-year-old will be assessed by doctors at the hospital and if well enough to travel, she will be brought back to the UK at the end of the week on a special ambulance plane.

Sophie’s father, Mike, owner of Castlegate News in Malton, said: “Her condition remains stable with no significant improvement, but thankfully no deterioration.

“It is going to be a long time, but Hopefully by the end of the week she will be at a hospital in this country.”

Mike, who travelled to Thailand to be by his daughter’s bedside along with her mum, Pauline, and Sophie’s partner, Robert, said he was grateful for the treatment Sophie had received in Bangkok, which he said had been “second to none”.

“I would also like to thank everyone who has shown amazing support both locally and all the surprise phone calls I have received from all over the world. I have gained a lot of strength from that,” he said.

Sophie, a highly-respected conservation expert who has given talks around the world, was undertaking botanical research with students from Bangor University 400 miles from the city of Kunming when she began to feel ill on Monday, July 6.

She had complained about feeling very tired and of headaches and nausea and was then found unconscious and rushed to the local hospital in her area before being airlifted to Bangkok where she could receive specialist help.

Sophie was diagnosed with Japanese encephalitis, a serious strain of the condition, which is passed onto humans through mosquito bites, causing swelling to the brain and has a risk of death or can lead to brain injury.

A spokesman for Bangor University said: “The staff of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanic Garden, as well as the healthcare staff at the hospitals in Xishuangbanna and Bangkok have provided excellent care and support for Sophie and her family.

“In addition, the staff of the British Embassy and the insurance company have provided invaluable assistance.

“Sophie, a highly-respected and well-liked conservation expert, was working on the joint project between Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanic Garden and Bangor University’s Treborth Botanical Garden when she was taken ill.

“Together, both organisations are supporting Sophie’s family and we wish Sophie a rapid recovery.”