Boy, 16, smuggled into the UK from Vietnam inside a SUITCASE writes heartfelt thank-you letter

Boy, 16, who was smuggled into the UK from Vietnam inside a SUITCASE writes heartfelt thank-you letter to the people who saved his life, addressed ‘Dear England’

  • Phong was rushed to a Kent hospital when he was found in a suitcase in Dover 
  • He survived and was placed into foster care with Kent County Council  
  • He wrote: ‘I never believed I would be loved. There is a big rainbow in my life’

Phong, 16, was rushed to a Kent hospital when his broken body was discovered packed in a case in a boot of a car in Dover last year.

The Vietnamese teen was nursed back to health at William Harvey Hospital and was placed into foster care with Kent County Council. 

His smuggler, Andrei Iancu, was arrested and jailed for 18 months after the stowaway, who was found crammed into the boot of a silver Skoda Octavia, was found suffering from severe dehydration and began fitting.

Phong, 16, was rushed to a Kent hospital when his broken body was discovered packed in a case in a boot of a car in Dover last year. After passing his English exams he wrote a thank you letter to Britain

Phong, from Vietnam, has passed his English language exams and is feeling more positive than ever.

In the letter, he wrote: ‘When I came to the UK, when I woke up in the hospital I was very scared and panic.

His smuggler, Andrei Iancu, was arrested and jailed for 18 months after the stowaway, who was found crammed into the boot of a silver Skoda Octavia, was found suffering from severe dehydration and began fitting

His smuggler, Andrei Iancu, was arrested and jailed for 18 months after the stowaway, who was found crammed into the boot of a silver Skoda Octavia, was found suffering from severe dehydration and began fitting

‘I didn’t know where I am, what happen to me, I hurt all over my body and couldn’t eat.

‘I could only use my neck and fingers just a little bit.

‘First thing I liked is the kind people in hospital. The nurses and doctors smiled at me and gave me biscuits, orange and water.’

After a six-day stay in the hospital, a social worker came to see Phong and took him to a new home.

For the first time, he had his own bedroom and a foster family.

Three months later, he went to college to learn English and Maths. He passed his first entry exams and will begin learning more advanced English in September.

He added: ‘I never believed I would be loved. There is now a big rainbow in my life instead of darkness.’

The driver of the car, who was caught at Dover port (pictured) was jailed for 18 months for people smuggling

The driver of the car, who was caught at Dover port (pictured) was jailed for 18 months for people smuggling

The Vietnamese teen was nursed back to health at William Harvey Hospital and was placed into foster care with Kent County Council

The Vietnamese teen was nursed back to health at William Harvey Hospital and was placed into foster care with Kent County Council

With a final message to England, Phong concluded the letter: ‘One more time thank you for changing my life.’

Christine Burge, Phong’s foster carer, called him ‘incredible’.

She said: ‘Phong is an incredible young man who has grown so much since he arrived.

‘He passed all of his exams, his confidence has grown and he has friends.

‘He makes me very proud everyday.

The Ashford resident added: ‘He really is the most caring and determined boy I have ever met.’ 

‘They are so important in a search like this. The boy’s family have been bringing us food and drinks.

‘I have been blown away. It really is incredible.’ 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk