A former soldier used his military training to save his mum’s life using only a headscarf – after she was crushed by her own quad bike in the middle of the Egyptian desert.
Iraq veteran Josh Charles, 26, and his support worker mum Samantha, 47, had booked a sand dune ride two days into their stay in the Red Sea’s Hurghada resort.
But their ‘dream’ getaway turned into a nightmare when a freak accident flung Samantha from the 400kg vehicle – which then landed on top of her.
Josh, who served as a private in the Duke of Lancaster regiment, told MailOnline how he turned around to see his mum helplessly pinned in place and bleeding out from a severed artery in her arm.
She was taken to hospital after Josh’s life-saving intervention but the family has now been hit with a huge £28,000 medical bill and have launched a GoFundMe.
They could be set for further costs as Samantha is now unable to come home on their return flight.
He said: ‘We were having a great time and decided to go on a quad bike ride in the desert. It was an organised tour and was the first time on a quad bike for my mum.
‘She was riding behind me, and I kept looking back to check she was ok, and then she had disappeared.
‘I turned back and saw her with the bike on top of her. She was unconscious and her arm was very badly cut and you could see the bone.
Josh’s mother Samantha in hospital after she suffered a broken arm, severed artery and fractured eye socket
Josh acted quickly to wrap a headscarf over her wound which saved her life
Ex-soldier Josh Charles served as a private in the Duke of Lancaster regiment
Josh and Samantha on their holiday in Egypt, which they say has turned into a ‘nightmare’
‘An artery had been severed and there was blood squirting out all over the place.
‘I knew I had to do something, or she would die from loss of blood.
‘I used my military training and got a headscarf to wrap around the arm and try and stop the blood.
‘There was still a lot of coming out, but it did the trick and stopped her from bleeding out.’
Josh said the tour ride organiser was unaware of the crash as she was at the front of the tour, but another tourist on the organised event raised the alarm.
Samantha was rushed to hospital where she underwent several blood transfusions and spent two days in the intensive care unit having suffered a broken arm, severed artery and fractured eye socket – before her shellshocked son was presented with a £28,000 bill for her treatment.
He said: ‘The whole trip has turned into a nightmare. The doctors say my mum will make a good recovery, but she is still in a bad way in hospital and there is no way we have the money to pay what the hospital has asked for.
‘They gave me a bill for £28,000 and it is only going to get higher as there is no way she can leave and will need a Medi-vac flight home. She will not be able to go on a normal flight.’
Josh is due to fly home later this week but wants to stay in Egypt to be with his mother
Samantha underwent several blood transfusions and spent two days in the intensive care unit
Josh said his military training helped him act quickly to prevent his mother from bleeding out
Josh has launched a GoFundMe appeal in the hope of raising the money to pay for the treatment.
He is due to fly home later this week but is hoping to stay on and be with his mother.
Writing on the site he says: ‘I am reaching out to you with a heavy heart and an urgent plea for help. My mum and I had been looking forward to our long-awaited holiday in Egypt, a trip we saved up for all year.
‘Unfortunately, our dream vacation took a devastating turn when my mum was involved in a serious accident while riding quad bikes. She fell off the bike, and it landed on top of her, resulting in severe injuries that required immediate medical attention.
‘My mum has been rushed to the hospital and is currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). As we navigate this incredibly challenging situation, I am filled with worry not only for her health but also about the financial burden that comes with unexpected medical emergencies. This is going to come to around £15k – £17k then extra costs to cover everything else.
‘With limited family support and resources, I am humbly asking for your assistance during this difficult time. Any contribution, no matter how small, would be immensely appreciated and would go directly towards covering my mum’s medical costs as well as any additional expenses that may arise during her recovery.
‘We are hopeful for her recovery but are also aware of the challenges ahead.’
– To donate to the family’s fundraiser, visit www.gofundme.com/f/urgent-help-for-mums-recovery-from-severe-holiday-accident