A family from Birkenhead is facing an urgent and difficult situation in Turkey after a 64-year-old man was critically injured in a scooter accident. John Kearney sustained a severe head injury on September 30th while on holiday in İçmeler, Marmaris, and is now in a local hospital.
His family was initially told to fly over 2,500 miles to say their goodbyes but now faces uncertainty over his condition, communication barriers, and mounting medical bills after an insurance claim was reportedly denied.
Key Takeaways
- John Kearney, 64, from Birkenhead, is in critical condition in a Turkish hospital after falling from a rental scooter.
- His family was urgently flown to Turkey after being informed that his life support might be withdrawn.
- The family's insurance claim has reportedly been rejected because Mr. Kearney was not wearing a helmet.
- A fundraising campaign has been launched to cover significant medical expenses and potential repatriation costs.
Details of the Accident
John Kearney was on holiday with friends in the resort town of İçmeler when the incident occurred on the evening of Tuesday, September 30th. He was returning to his hotel on a rented scooter when he fell, suffering a serious injury to his head. Emergency services responded, and he was transported to a nearby hospital for immediate medical attention.
His daughter, Joanna Kearney, received a phone call from one of her father's friends that evening, informing her of the accident. She described the initial shock and disbelief.
"He told me what happened and that dad was in hospital but none of it felt real, it still doesn't feel real now. It's like I'm watching TV and that it's not really happening to me. My brain can't keep up with everything that is going on."
Family's Journey and Hospital Difficulties
The situation escalated two days later, on Thursday, October 2nd, when the family received devastating news. According to Joanna, they were advised to travel to Turkey immediately because hospital staff were considering turning off her father's life support machine.
Joanna, her uncle, and some friends made the urgent trip. Upon arrival, they faced immediate challenges. "We got a phone call to say they [hospital staff] would turn his life support machine off today (Sunday, October 5) and the family had to come and say goodbye," she explained.
The family encountered difficulties gaining access to see Mr. Kearney. "At first the hospital wouldn't let us go in and see him because when we arrived it was outside of visiting hours and then they said he couldn't have visitors on a weekend," Joanna stated. They were eventually allowed to see him.
Medical Uncertainty
The family has since received a small update on his condition. Hospital staff have reportedly decided to reduce the sedation to observe for any reflexes or signs of brain activity. The full extent of his injuries remains unknown until the swelling on his brain subsides.
Communication and Insurance Issues
The family's distress has been compounded by a significant language barrier, which has made it difficult to get clear information about Mr. Kearney's condition and treatment plan.
"We have no idea what is going on, if he is going to survive or how much hospital bills are going to cost or the costs of getting him home, dead or alive," Joanna said. "We have so many unanswered questions and because of the language barrier we are struggling to know what is going on."
Adding to their financial worries, Joanna claims the family's travel insurance provider has refused to cover the medical costs. The reason given was that her father was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
Helmet Not Provided, Family Says
Joanna Kearney asserts that her father was not provided with a helmet when he rented the scooter. She noted that since arriving in Turkey, she has observed that it is common for scooter riders in the resort not to wear them. "At first I thought it was odd that he wasn't given a helmet, but now I'm here and walking around I can see that nobody has these helmets on," she said.
Community Support and Fundraising
The emotional and financial toll on the family is immense. Joanna has had to leave her children in the care of their fathers back in the UK while she navigates the crisis in Turkey. "I feel quite numb," she said, describing the experience as "soul destroying."
To address the mounting medical expenses and the potential cost of bringing Mr. Kearney back to Merseyside, the family has started a fundraising campaign. They are appealing for public support to help them through this difficult period.
The family remains at Mr. Kearney's bedside, waiting for more definitive news from the medical team as they monitor his response to reduced sedation. The outcome is still uncertain as they await further assessments of his brain activity.