'Check smallprint' warning after balcony plunge dad hit by 'booze clause'
The family of a British holidaymaker who cheated death after tumbling four storeys whilst attempting to climb between hotel balconies in Cyprus are demanding a law change.
Sam Hudson, 24, was enjoying a 'typical lads' holiday' in Ayia Napa alongside his brother and a mate when he plummeted 30ft (9m) from a balcony at the Anmaria Beach Hotel. The father-of-one, from Lincoln, has absolutely no recollection of the terrifying accident - though it's understood he had been attempting to leap between two balconies whilst intoxicated.
He sustained a shattered pelvis, fractures to the L4 and L5 vertebrae in his spine, and a broken leg, before being rushed to hospital for urgent treatment. Sam hadn't arranged travel insurance before his getaway, meaning he was hit with enormous hospital bills.
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Nevertheless, the decorator has since learnt that even with travel insurance, he wouldn't have been protected as he had consumed more than four pints at the time of the incident. Consequently, Sam and his step-mum are attempting to highlight the restrictions of travel insurance - and reform the law so that it becomes compulsory for all tourists.
They are also urging people to obtain a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) before travelling - which helped cover some treatment expenses. Sam's step-mum Karen, 52, said: "The boys had all been drinking at a pool party but Sam went back to the hotel early.
"When his brother Nathan and friend Alfie returned, they were faced with police who told them there had been an accident. Nathan rang us and he was just beside himself. He said that Sam had fallen off a balcony and was in hospital.
"It's every parent's worst nightmare. You go through all sorts of emotions and your mind is racing. I was just thinking: 'Is he alive? What was he doing?' Your heart just instantly sinks."
Karen and Sam's father Mike, 56, jetted out to Cyprus the following morning and rushed to see him at Nicosia General Hospital. Karen said: "He was lying in bed strapped to all of the monitors.
"He was in tremendous agony - crying out in pain. I asked if they could give him more painkillers but I was told he was on the maximum he could receive."
Sam required urgent surgery on his pelvis but his family first had to obtain a GHIC card for him, which took several days. They then turned to frantically attempting to bring him back to the UK - but were informed a medical repatriation flight could cost as much as £50,000.
Karen said: "We spoke to the British Embassy who told us it was going to cost around £50,000 to get Sam home. That's a lot of money - and money that we don't have. So I asked, 'What do families do?' And they told us a lot of people start a GoFundMe.
"But we didn't want to do that. We didn't want to sponge off people."
Nevertheless, the situation shifted for the family when they finally managed to speak to Sam. Karen said: "We can't fault the care Sam has received but he was really struggling because of the language barrier.
"He said to me: 'I just want to get home so the doctors can understand my pain when I'm telling them.' I told him I would do the best I could and so I knew I had to start the GoFundMe."
Karen and Mike succeeded in obtaining Sam a GHIC card, which paid for his operation and emergency medical care. They subsequently launched a GoFundMe to meet the expenses of Sam's medical kit, their outgoings and lodging in Cyprus, and whatever was required to bring Sam home.
They have collected £5,500 so far.
Fortunately though, Sam has now been informed he'll be capable of flying home on a commercial aircraft - but will still require specialist support at additional expense. Karen anticipates he will be home within the coming weeks - once arrangements have been finalised with a hospital in the UK.
Once home, Sam will begin rehabilitation and physiotherapy so he can learn to walk again. Meanwhile, Karen is determined to alter the law surrounding travel insurance.
She said: "We were shocked to find out that even if Sam had travel insurance - he wouldn't have been covered because he had drunk alcohol. It's one of those things that's in the small print. And I do think that needs looking into.
"I know people might think: 'It's his own fault. He was drinking.' And I completely agree. But I think it's unrealistic to think that people will go on holiday and not have a drink. There should be an option with travel insurance to pay more to also be covered in accidents where alcohol has been involved."
Karen is advocating for a change in the law to make travel insurance compulsory for all holidaymakers.
She stated: "I want to change the law so it's mandatory. For example, when you go to tax a car, it checks your insurance. I think when you book a holiday, you should have to put your travel insurance details and your GHIC Card in, or, it doesn't let you complete the booking."
Despite Sam's medical treatment being covered by his GHIC card, Karen estimates that they've spent approximately £8,000 on necessary equipment like a mobility chair and back brace.
They've also incurred substantial costs for accommodation to stay near him, as well as flights to and from the UK for Mike to maintain their rental business. The ordeal has inspired Karen to consider establishing a charity to assist other families facing similar circumstances.
She shared: "We've raised £5,500 from the GoFundMe so far and we are so grateful. That's gone to equipment, our costs, and trying to get Sam home, and we wouldn't have been able to do all that without the support.
"It's made me want to help other families in this position as there is just so much to think about that you don't realise. You're stressed and just trying to be there but you have to think about booking flights, accommodation, and asking the hospital all the right questions.
"If someone was there with you to advise you on all that it would make it a lot easier. So I want to look into sorting that soon. Any funds leftover from the GoFundMe will go towards that."
Currently, Sam is unable to walk but is expected to start his recovery journey once he begins physiotherapy in the UK. He is eager to return as quickly as possible to see his two-year-old son.
To contribute to his GoFundMe, visit this page. To sign Karen's petition for a change in travel insurance law, click here.
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