British Teacher Bradley Hall Dies Suddenly in China Minutes After Phone Call With Mum

A young British teacher, Bradley Hall, tragically passed away in China on May 10, just minutes after speaking to his mother on the phone.

The 25-year-old from Teesside, who had been teaching near Shanghai for two years, spoke happily to his mum Lindsey Hall about his planned summer trip home. Just an hour and a half later, she received a heartbreaking call from his friend telling her Bradley had died.

Lindsey told TeessideLive, “I was talking to my son, just chit-chatting. Then the phone rang again. I said, ‘Hiya son, alright?’ But it was his friend saying he had passed away.”

Family Left in Shock, With No Answers

Bradley, described as “fit as a fiddle”, was a non-smoker, gym-goer, and loyal Middlesbrough FC fan. His stepfather, Marc Henderson-Thynne, said, “He didn’t drink, didn’t smoke, loved football, and was never in trouble.”

Despite his healthy lifestyle, the family has received very limited information about what caused his sudden death. An autopsy in China has been priced at £3,000, and UK authorities may require a second post-mortem once his body returns.

Repatriation Costs Add to Grief

The family is now struggling with the high cost of bringing Bradley back to the UK. Repatriation is expected to cost around £18,000, and they are being charged £6 per day to keep his body in a Chinese mortuary.

His aunt, Emma Henderson-Thynne, has taken on the role of contacting Chinese authorities and the UK embassy on behalf of the family.

Bradley had planned to return to the UK in July, where his mum was preparing his favorite meal — a parmo — for his visit. He had built a new life abroad with his girlfriend Joanna and their dog.

Lindsey shared, “It feels like I’m in a bubble. I know he’s gone, but it doesn’t feel real because he’s not at home.”

GoFundMe Campaign Launched

A GoFundMe campaign has been created to help with the repatriation and funeral costs. It has already raised over £5,300 toward a £6,000 goal.

“We’re absolutely heartbroken,” the fundraiser reads. “Any donation helps. After all expenses, we’ll donate leftover funds to the Finley Cooper Foundation in Bradley’s memory.”

Final Words from a Devastated Family

The family is now pleading for help to bring Bradley home. They say they are heartbroken, shocked, and feel helpless. They hope people will support the cause so they can lay their beloved son to rest.