An Irish family are desperately appealing for help after their mother suffered a life-changing cardiac arrest while holidaying in Spain. Carol Callaghan, 58, from Charleville, Co. Cork, collapsed suddenly while shopping with friends in Alicante and was rushed to hospital.
Doctors initially warned the family to prepare for the worst as Carol spent a week in a coma. She miraculously survived the crisis but remains in intensive care with a tracheostomy, requiring specialist medical support.
Insurance company abandons family
Her travel insurance company has refused to cover the cost of an air ambulance and medical team to bring her home to Ireland. Spanish doctors have informed the family they have done all they can and that Carol's only hope of recovery lies in specialist rehabilitation back in Ireland.
The family launched an urgent GoFundMe campaign which has raised more than €58,000, but the costs are expected to be significantly higher. Her son Jack described the desperate situation on local radio, saying: "She still has a tracheostomy in, so she would need intensive care support for the flight home. Once it's removed, she'll need intensive rehab. Time is of the essence."
Race against time for recovery
Jack described his mother as "having the biggest heart" and emphasised the urgency of the situation. He said: "We just need her home. The sooner she starts rehab, the better chance she has of making a full recovery."
The family explained on their fundraising page that Carol's injuries require long-term rehabilitation and specialist care. They wrote: "Unfortunately, her travel insurance has refused to cover the cost of getting her home to Ireland. We're reaching out for help. Every donation, no matter how small, will go directly towards her medical flight and ongoing care."
Critical window for treatment
Carol's relatives are now confronting a worrying battle against the clock to gather sufficient funds to transport her back home. The timing of specialist rehabilitation is considered crucial for cardiac arrest recovery outcomes.
The family's appeal highlights the limitations many travellers face when insurance companies decline to cover medical repatriation costs during overseas emergencies.
Sources used: "Mirror", "RSVP Live", "Edinburgh Live", "Daily Record"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
