Urgent warning issued over 'booze clause' after lad who survived 30ft fall from balcony hit with enormous bill
A dad-of-one has been handed a hefty medical bill following a horror accident while on a lads' holiday in Ayia Napa.
Lincoln-born Sam Hudson, 24, was on a trip with his brother and his friend when he fell nine metres from a balcony at the Anmaria Beach Hotel.
He doesn't remember anything from the incident, but it is thought that he was intoxicated and had tried to leap between two balconies.
As a result, the Brit was left with a number of severe injuries, such as a broken pelvis, a broken leg, and fractures to the L4 and L5 vertebrae in his spine.
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However, Sam couldn't afford to treat his health issues as he hadn't taken out travel insurance before travelling abroad.
But in the aftermath of his actions, the father found out that he wouldn't have been covered even if he'd had insurance.
The decorator was told that this was because he had consumed more than four pints of alcohol.
Different insurers will have different rules, but most policies will not cover injuries they believe to have been caused by drinking 'too much alcohol', and will often state in the policy a maximum blood alcohol level they will cover for.
Now, Sam and his family are working to raise awareness of the caveats around travel insurance and its 'booze clause', aiming to change the existing law so it would become mandatory for tourists to have it before jetting off.
They are also calling for tourists to get themselves a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) before leaving, which would help to cover certain treatments.
Karen, Sam's step-mum, claimed that he had gone back to the hotel earlier than the boys, who stayed at a pool party.
She explained that when they returned, police were at the scene and told them there had been an accident.
"Nathan [Sam's brother] rang us and he was just beside himself. He said that Sam had fallen off a balcony and was in hospital," she recalled, saying it was 'every parent's worst nightmare'.
She flew out with Sam's dad, Mike, the next day to see him at the Nicosia General Hospital.
Karen said he was 'screaming in pain' despite being on the maximum amount of painkillers, as he awaited emergency surgery on his pelvis.
The wait was for a GHIC card, which took his family days to sort out.
After speaking to the British Embassy, they were told that it would cost £50,000 to get Sam home, suggesting they start a GoFundMe.
While they didn't want to 'sponge off people', a conversation with the desperate Sam changed their minds.
"He said to me: 'I just want to get home so the doctors can understand my pain when I'm telling them,'" Karen said.
While the GHIC card covered the surgery and urgent medical treatment, the family set up a GoFundMe to help them pay for their expenses and accommodation in Cyprus, as well as Sam's medical equipment and costs to get back to the UK.
They have so far raised just over £5,500, en route to their target of £10,000.
Sam was recently told he'll be OK to fly on a commercial plane, though specialist assistance will be required, adding to the price.
The plan is for Sam to start rehabilitation and physiotherapy once home, as Karen hopes this will happen in the next few weeks after making relevant arrangements with a local hospital.
She added that they were 'shocked' to find that Sam wouldn't have been covered by insurance because he drank.
"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," she claimed.
Karen said there should be an option to cover alcohol-related incidents, explaining that it should be 'mandatory for all tourists'.
"For example, when you go to tax a car, it checks your insurance," she went on.
"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."
Karen reckons that the family have had to spend around £8,000 on equipment such as a mobility chair and back brace.
She also aims to donate any leftovers from the GoFundMe to families in similar situations.
To donate to Sam's GoFundMe, click here.
If you want to sign Karen's petition to change laws around travel insurance, click here.
Joshua Nair