Perth grandfather Paul Dougan has died in intensive care 10 days after being repeatedly bashed and kicked by four strangers at a bar in Bali.
The Australian holidaymaker, affectionately known to friends as "Rabbit", passed away on Thursday night following a 10-day fight for life at a hospital in Kuta. He had been in critical condition since the alleged attack earlier this month at the One Tribe Bar.
Mr Dougan suffered 10 broken ribs and severe internal bleeding, had his spleen removed, and required drains placed in his lungs and abdomen. He underwent three surgeries and four blood transfusions as medical teams attempted to stabilize his condition.
Bali, a popular Indonesian resort island located north-west of Western Australia, attracts hundreds of thousands of Australian tourists each year. Kuta is one of the island's busiest tourist hubs, famous for its beach resort area and lively nightlife district.
Following the attack, Mr Dougan's family made a mercy dash from Perth to be by his bedside. As medical expenses rapidly mounted past $70,000, his family launched an online fundraiser to help cover the costs of his hospital care and planned medical repatriation.
Before his father passed away, Mr Dougan's son Liam explained that doctors needed to remove the abdominal and lung drains before evaluating whether he was fit to travel. "Once his drains are removed, we are expecting it to be another two weeks before he can be assessed and cleared to fly home," Liam wrote.
Family and community pay tribute
Despite intensive treatment, Mr Dougan lost his fight for life on Thursday. Announcing his father's death online, Liam shared an emotional message alongside a photograph of the pair.
"It wasn't meant to be this way Dad," Liam wrote on Thursday night. "I will love and remember you for the rest of my life and I will continue to make you proud. I am shattered, lost, heartbroken and confused but grateful I ever got to call you my Dad."
Liam also thanked everyone who had offered prayers, messages, and financial support during the family's ordeal. "Unfortunately today we had to undergo the hardest day of our family's lives and say goodbye to Dad," he wrote. "I am heartbroken to type this message, I'm lost, confused but I wanted to update everyone who has shown support."
News of the death triggered an outpouring of grief in Western Australia, particularly in Gosnells, a south-eastern suburb of Perth where Mr Dougan was a well-regarded community member. Gosnells Football Club issued a statement on Friday offering condolences to his family.
"Paul was a much loved father, grandfather and member of the wider Gosnells community, and his loss will be deeply felt by all who knew him," the club posted. "On behalf of everyone at the Gosnells Football Club, we extend our deepest condolences to Paul's children and their partners, his grandchildren, family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. Our thoughts are with the entire Dougan family, and we hope they find strength and comfort in each other and in the love and support of those around them."
Police search for Australian suspects
The attack occurred after Mr Dougan was confronted by a group of four strangers, reportedly fellow Australians. Speaking to Nine News Perth, a friend of Mr Dougan described the sudden escalation inside the venue.
"To have this happen to him, of all people, is just devastating," the friend told Nine News Perth. "He's not the kind of guy to go looking for that sort of trouble. He'd grabbed his partner and said, 'Let's get out of here'. As he stood up he was confronted by a person that said, 'What did you say?' and pretty much didn't wait for an answer and just struck him."
Indonesian police visited the One Tribe Bar on Thursday to investigate the scene of the assault. According to Mr Dougan's son, closed-circuit television (CCTV) security footage of the incident exists and is available to help identify the attackers.
As of Friday, no arrests have been made and no formal charges have been laid by police. Liam Dougan insisted that those responsible for the attack would eventually be brought to justice. "They will be found and there will be justice," he wrote. "But none of this will bring Dad back."
