Kiwi backpacker remains in coma in Romania

Fergus Chetwin-Kelly, 20, is in intensive care after the freak accident. Photo / Supplied

The parents of a young Kiwi backpacker electrocuted while taking a holiday photograph are at his hospital bedside in Romania waiting for him to wake up.

Fergus Chetwin-Kelly, 20, is in a coma with second degree burns to 86 per cent of his body after the "freak accident" that happened when he touched a live cable in Cluj-Napoca, in the country's northwest.

The Christchurch man's sister, Bridie, earlier said he climbed an abandoned train carriage to take a photo and accidentally touched a live cable when he lifted his arm to wave.

"It is such a freak accident, he lifted his hand up to wave at a train and touched a wire and he fell off and hit the ground and his whole body caught fire," she said.

Ms Chetwin-Kelly, 23, and her younger sister, Molly-Rose, 19, have set up a Givealittle page to help raise funds for their brother's uncertain future.

As of 11am today, it had raised almost $45,000, from 600 donors.

Parents Cecily Chetwin and Martin Kelly rushed from Canterbury to be with their son at hospital in Bucharest as soon as they heard what happened.

"With the help,of the entire support crew of Fergus Chetwin-Kelly we will get him back," Mr Kelly wrote on Facebook yesterday.

"At the moment the latest news is that he stable. No CT Scan till he is more stable as the greatest medical team in the world say small steps little steps baby steps."

Mr Kelly praised the "amazing" medical staff as being the "real heroes".

"They are keeping us updated and even gave us a mobile to use with the professor's private phone number," he said.

The accident happened on September 30, but the family only found out last Friday after Mr Chetwin-Kelly's girlfriend in Ireland, Roisin Rigg, thought something was amiss and Googled his name.

She came up with a story from a Romanian newspaper.

The family was concerned about Mr Chetwin-Kelly's neurological condition due to the head injury he sustained. He was breathing with assistance.

Mr Chetwin-Kelly had been travelling for 18 months and was with companions when the accident happened.

His family hadn't seen him since he left. He was due home next May.

He had loved his travels around south-east Asia, the UK and Europe and made countless new friends, said Ms Chetwin-Kelly.

Molly-Rose Chetwin-Kelly spoke on Facebook last night of her pride in being Mr Chetwin-Kelly's sister.

"The amount of love and donations sent to us just goes to show how much of an incredible guy Ferg is, he is always somehow teaching me things about life," she posted on Facebook.

"So once again I am eternally grateful for my family, friends and people that know or have heard of Fergus. You all have made me have hope."

• Donations can be made here