Kitchener native Alex Witmer, who was flown back from Thailand with brain tumour, dies

A Kitchener man who was diagnosed with a tumour during a vacation in Thailand last year and flown back via air ambulance has died.

Alex Witmer, 31, died on Sunday June 14, according to a post from his wife, Jennifer Witmer's Instagram.

In late 2019 when Alex was diagnosed with the tumour, Allianz Global Assistance originally rejected the couple's insurance claim to fly him back. After a battle though, the company agreed to pay the full $265,000 fee for the air ambulance.

Jennifer and Alex, a graduate of Forest Heights Collegiate Institute, had been living in Moncton, NB, before packing their bags and travelling to Koh Samui, Thailand for an extended trip. They had planned to move to Ontario upon return.

Alex was an accomplished high jumper in the Waterloo region as well as at the collegiate level.