Dad diagnosed with brain cancer after crashing tanker in desperate bid for treatment

A dad fundraising for lifesaving cancer treatment has spoken about the dramatic road crash which brought his illness to light.

Scans only detected Steven Fry’s brain tumour after the oil tanker he was driving crashed into a shop in Beauly in September 2021.

Mr Fry, 32, had a seizure and blacked out at the wheel. Investigations revealed he had a brain tumour.

He underwent life-saving surgery which had left the former HGV driver paralysed down the right side of his body.

Steven crashed the oil tanker he was driving into a shop after suffering a seizure. STV News

Steven told STV News: “I had a scan which showed a massive tumour. They said if the crash had not happened I would likely not have survived it.

“It’s hard to keep your head held high after the crash. For a while I couldn’t speak or walk and it took a while for my sense of humour to come back.

“It’s hard but I will get there.”

Steven and wife Chloe have another baby on the way

Three years on, Steven is now fighting to get treatment which he hopes will prolong his life and even cure him of brain cancer.

He’s aiming to raise £50,000 for specialist immunology treatment in London, and is halfway to his target.

Friends and family have been hosting charity events to help drum up cash.

“A lot of people want to help who don’t even know me, which is nice. It makes me feel honoured,” Steven added.

“It means the world to me. I’m thankful for it all.”

Steven, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy, is dad to two-year-old Piper and he and his wife Chloe have a new baby on the way next month.

Chloe said: “It’s stressful being pregnant and helping him with all the side effects.

“We really believe that the treatment could be a life-changer for him and allow him to be here with his family much longer than treatment on NHS has given him.

“If he hadn’t passed out that day, in two more months it would have taken his life. It was a blessing in disguise.”

Steven hopes to raise enough money to start medical trial treatment within the next few months.

He hopes to live “as long as possible” to cherish every moment with his family.

He said: “I’d like to see my lassie grow up, graduate and get married.

“We don’t know the sex of the baby, so it will be a surprise when Chloe gives birth. It would be nice to see them grow up and get boyfriends and girlfriends.

“I want to be here and spend time with my family.”