COMMONWEALTH Games judo silver medallist Stephanie Inglis is in a coma fighting for her life following a motorcycle accident in Vietnam.
The 27-year-old Scot, who went to Vietnam to teach English, suffered severe brain injuries following the freak accident when her dress caught in the bike and dragged her off.
Her sister Stacey told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme: "She's in a very critical state, she's in a coma.
"There is a lot of bleeding to the brain and swelling, and we are just not sure what is going to happen."
A tearful Stacey added: "She is my big sister - I look up to her so much. She's one of the nicest people, the best sister you could probably have.
"She's so supportive to me, to my mum and my dad. She's got the best advice ever, not that I always take it. I just want her home, I just want her home." She described the support the family are receiving as "amazing".
An online appeal to cover her medical costs has been launched, and at the time of publication had raised more than £90,000 of a target of £250,000.
It's understood former Motherwell FC director Les Hutchison has donated £10,000 to the judo star's medical costs, while Travis frontman Fran Healy has also contributed £500.
Very generous donation of £10,000 from @MotherwellFC owner Les Hutchison to @stephinglisjudo's @gofundme page. https://t.co/hihaEJUuDc
— Robert Maguire (@Robert_MND) May 13, 2016
READ MORE: Headlines and deadlines . . . the best moments of Glasgow 2014
Her parents have flown to Vietnam to be at her bedside and Inglis' sister Stacey told the BBC: "Mum and dad are just distraught, they just want her to be alive and get back here. At the minute the hospital is monitoring her, but they've said her whole brain is injured, and it will be a long recovery if she pulls through.
"At the moment we're sitting tight and keeping our fingers crossed."
The GoFundMe page was set up by fellow judo player Khalid Gehlan to help pay for her medical costs.
Gehlan wrote: "Stephanie Inglis, Scotland's Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth silver medallist in Judo, is currently in intensive care in a Hospital somewhere in Vietnam receiving medical care.
"Less than 48 hours ago Stephanie was being taxied on a motor bike to a school in Vietnam where she has been teaching English to underprivileged children for the last four months.
READ MORE: Headlines and deadlines . . . the best moments of Glasgow 2014
"Somewhere along this journey her dress was caught in the wheel and she was dragged off from her seat at high speeds and received severe injuries to her brain.
"Stephanie's parents have had to fight the doctors from turning off the life support machine, they have been told she has little chance to survive and a long recovery on the other side.
"Little chance is better than no chance and other people have pulled through from far worse odds. If anyone can pull through this its Stephanie."
The UK Foreign Office said: "We are in contact with the family of a British national who has been hospitalised in Vietnam, and will continue to offer support at this difficult time."
Click here to visit the GoFundMe page.
READ MORE: Headlines and deadlines . . . the best moments of Glasgow 2014
The appeal on the fundraising page said Inglis was being taxied on a motorbike to the school where she had been working for the last four months when the accident happened.
"Somewhere along this journey her dress was caught in the wheel and she was dragged off from her seat at high speeds and received severe injuries to her brain," it said.
The fundraising page also suggests her medical care is costing £2,000 per day.
It added: "Picture a person you love dearly in her shoes and you will only be touching the very tip of the iceberg with what her family are feeling right now.
"For all those that have had the privilege and pleasure of being in Stephanie's company, you will know what a positive, kind-hearted and caring person she is. And for all those that haven't, just know that if you stole her last penny, she would smile at you and wish you all the best."
A statement from JudoScotland said: "We are obviously shocked and saddened by the news that Stephanie Inglis has been involved in a serious road accident whilst living and participating in an internship in Vietnam.
READ MORE: Judoka Inglis floored but still focused on Rio
"Steph is a valued member of the JudoScotland Performance Squad and a leading member of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Team, adding to Scotland’s medal count with a Silver medal (under 57Kg)."
"The thoughts and prayers of everyone at JudoScotland are with Steph and her family at this difficult time."
The judoka has spoken of her pride at taking part in Scotland's Commonwealth Games, and the recognition that followed.
Speaking to The Herald last year she said: "A lot of people come up to you and ask for a photo or your autograph which is quite funny.
"I do a lot of school visits and it's always great to see the kids' faces when you go in to talk to them. It's nice getting some recognition and hopefully you can help inspire others.
"Winning a medal at the Games is the highlight of my career so far."
On her personal Twitter account, @stephinglisjudo, Stephanie has spoken of her time in Vietnam fondly.
Half way through my internship out here in Vietnam! Surprised myself staying out for so long haha but enjoying the teaching :)
— Stephanie Inglis (@stephinglisjudo) March 19, 2016
Tributes to the judoka and hopes for her swift recovery have been paid online.
Former British, Commonwealth, European and WBO super featherweight boxing champion Alex Arthur MBE said he was "devastated" when he heard of Stephanie's injuries, adding he had spoken to her on Monday.
Actually devastated and felt sick when I heard tonight about @stephinglisjudo I was talking to her on Monday. One of the nicest girls. 😔💔
— Alex Arthur MBE (@AlexArthur1) May 12, 2016
Fomer teammate Kimberley Renicks called on people to share Stephanie's story to make sure she receives the treatment she needs.
Plz every1 keep tweet and share Stephanie story all hoping she comes come safe and gets the help she needs
— kimberley renicks (@Kimi48Renicks) May 13, 2016
Team GB judo athlete Frazer Chamberlain also asked the public to help in this "life or death" matter.
Please Help Stephanie Inglis. This is life or death. She's in Vietnam on life support machines. Needs our help!! RT https://t.co/IPNNA7oQKg
— Frazer Chamberlain (@BigFraz90) May 13, 2016
Paul Bush, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said news of the accident had come as a "great shock".
He added: "Stephanie, a 2014 silver medallist, was a popular and valued member of Team Scotland during the Glasgow 2014 Games.
"We would like to send our best wishes to Stephanie, her family and friends at this challenging time as she fights to recover from this terrible accident."
Stephanie's Team Scotland peers Sally Conway and Lynsey Sharp also took to Twitter to show their support.
This is so unbelievably sad. Please lets all help. #Team Scotland https://t.co/o00urZ3Ktx
— Lynsey Sharp (@LynseySharp) May 12, 2016
We are all behind you Stephers! #keepfightingmate #youcandothis ❤️🙌🙏💪https://t.co/noGxsGGnhq pic.twitter.com/m7wEuebEAB
— sally conway (@sconway70) May 13, 2016
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