A British influencer is fighting for her life in a South Korean hospital after being found unconscious in her apartment with a black eye and severe dehydration. Ashley Surcombe, 29, was discovered by police who broke down her door after her concerned parents, Nigel and Karen, contacted authorities when they could not reach her. Ashley, who has been living in Seoul for five years and documenting her life to over 465,000 followers on Instagram, was found slumped on the bathroom floor.
Local authorities entered her apartment on March 24, 2025, and rushed her to the hospital, where she is currently in the intensive care unit (ICU) suffering from severe dehydration and multiple organ failure. Reports indicate that there were no signs of forced entry, raising questions about how she ended up in this critical condition.
Ashley’s family, based in Evesham, England, is now facing an uphill battle to cover her medical expenses, which have skyrocketed since her hospitalization. They are attempting to raise £50,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for her treatment, as her health insurance has recently expired. The family has already paid a £3,000 deposit for her initial care, but costs are mounting rapidly, with ICU stays costing £1,500 per day.
Her sister, Kat Surcombe, 33, an aerospace engineer, expressed the family's distress in an interview with the Mail Online. "We just don’t know what happened and we are trying to find out exactly, but it’s been difficult, and we have had to rely on contacts out there," Kat said. She added that they were supposed to speak with Ashley at 8 PM on March 23, Korean time, but she never answered. This lack of communication prompted the family to seek help.
Kat further revealed that about a week prior to Ashley being found, she had mentioned to her family that she had hit her head against a door, resulting in a bruise on her eye. "Her blood sugar levels are very low and when we spoke with her on Saturday, she seemed confused, and you could barely see her lips she was so dehydrated," Kat explained. The family is understandably worried about Ashley’s condition and the uncertainty surrounding her recovery.
Ashley’s father has flown out to South Korea to be by her side during this critical time. As they await news about her health, the family is grappling with the financial strain of her medical treatment. Kat shared her fears for their family’s financial stability, stating, "I am also really worried about my parents; they have just retired, and this has the potential to financially ruin them." She noted that the family might have to sell their house to cover Ashley’s medical bills, which is a devastating prospect for them.
The GoFundMe page set up by the family has gained attention, and within a short period, they have managed to raise over £6,900 towards their goal. However, the financial burden continues to grow as Ashley remains in the ICU. "The thing is we just don’t know how long she could be in there for and then when she is fit to come out there is the cost of a flight home," Kat said, expressing the family's deep concern and helplessness as they navigate this traumatic situation.
Ashley Surcombe is not just a victim of an unfortunate incident; she is a content creator with a significant online presence. She had been planning to travel across Southeast Asia, sharing her experiences with her followers. Now, those plans are on hold as her family focuses on her recovery.
In a heartbreaking appeal on the GoFundMe page, Kat wrote, "My parents have recently retired, and as a family, we don’t have an abundance of money to cover these unexpected and overwhelming costs. If you’re able to donate—no matter how small—it would mean the world to us. If you’re unable to donate, please share this fundraiser to help spread the word." The family is hoping that with community support, they can alleviate some of the financial pressure during this difficult time.
The Foreign Office has also stated that they are supporting the family of the British woman who has been hospitalized in South Korea. As Ashley continues to fight for her life, her family remains hopeful for her recovery and for answers regarding the circumstances that led to her current condition.
While the investigation into Ashley's condition is ongoing, the community's response has been overwhelmingly supportive, with many reaching out to offer help and encouragement. As the family navigates this challenging ordeal, they hold onto hope for Ashley's recovery and a safe return home.
