A vacation that turns into a nightmare. Clément, a 24-year-old police officer from the Drancy police station (Seine-Saint-Denis), was the victim of an extremely violent attack in Laos on November 12, his birthday. Seriously injured in the head, he was first hospitalized in critical condition on site when his life was in danger, before being transferred by a medical plane to a hospital in Bangkok (Thailand) where medical resources are more adapted.
Clément, assigned to the initiative investigation brigade (BEI), was still hospitalized this Thursday but can now speak and communicate with his loved ones. He does not yet know when he will be able to return to France. His colleagues in Drancy launched an online fundraiser to help him, when the spending limit of the insurance he had taken out was exceeded. More than 2,600 euros have already been raised. You can participate in this prize pool here.
Clément and his partner had decided to visit Laos. A long-planned trip. The couple had reserved the month of November to discover this Asian country which has around 7.5 million inhabitants. On November 12, the bus they were on for their visit broke down. It was already dark and the driver was unable to repair his bus. Faced with this impasse, Clément decided to walk to a neighboring village, with a flashlight, in order to find tools or help. He was found a little later by local police officers while he was lying on the ground near a road, unconscious and seriously injured in the head. Taken care of by emergency services, he was transported to hospital. His partner alerted their insurance, which organized his transfer to Bangkok due to limited medical resources in Laos.
“He suffered multiple fractures to his face and head”
Clément underwent several operations and his state of health has since improved, although he still has many physical after-effects. His face remains very damaged and swollen. “He suffered multiple fractures to his face and head. Doctors feared that his brain would be affected”confides Marine, one of her colleagues. “We didn't recognize him at first in the photos, which shows the seriousness of what he suffered. We were all very scared and we hope that he will soon be able to return to France and return to work Normally”.
Clément must undergo new examinations this Friday to determine whether his state of health allows a long flight to Paris. The police officer has, for the moment, no memory of the attack he suffered. His phone was found broken at the scene. In Bangkok, the doctors were in any case categorical: Clément was violently beaten in the head, undoubtedly with blunt objects. “He was to go for training to become a Judicial Police Officer (OPJ) next February, he is a super motivated colleague who is very involved in his work”underlines Marine. “He was delighted to be able to visit Laos, a trip he had prepared well”. Clément's mother filed a complaint for attempted homicide, which has since been transmitted to the Bobigny public prosecutor's office.
