A distraught family say they are “going through hell” as they fight to bring their critically ill loved one home from Thailand after she was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and left in a coma
A heartbroken family is “going through hell” as they fight to bring their critically ill relative home from Thailand. Marie Peacock, from Eston, became unwell five days after arriving in the country with her husband Ray.
Marie, 71, had been experiencing aches including a rigid neck but had prepared to return home for her flight on February 24. During their final evening, she dozed off but the next morning, Ray was unable to wake her.
In a coma, Marie was rushed to Bangkok Hospital in Koh Samui where doctors diagnosed her with bacterial meningitis. Her niece speaking to Teesside Live they were left devastated after learning she had sustained brain damage.
At that stage, they didn’t think Marie would wish to continue living in such a state and a ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ document was completed. Marie explained her aunt remains in a serious condition but the most recent updates to the family indicate she is stable, and medical staff have declared her suitable to travel.
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She has comprehensive cover worth £10m through Barclays Bank and Aviva but the family alleges they refuse to fund a medical aircraft to transport her home for additional evaluation.
An Aviva representative stated they were unable to discuss the specific case. Nevertheless, in a general response, they explained medical repatriation only goes ahead “if qualified doctors and consulted medical experts confirm it is safe to do so.”
Marie revealed they are questioning whether her aunt has suffered brain damage and are desperate to bring her back to the UK for a second opinion.
She said: “She is fighting this and we want some help to force the insurance to get her back to Teesside so we can get a second opinion on what damage it has done, as she is in a coma and has no voice.
“We were told she had extensive brain damage as a result of the meningitis which is why we all agreed to remove all meds and help her slip away. Even though she is still in a critical condition and her blood pressure is still really low, she’s still maintaining.
“So why aren’t the insurance company bringing her home? We want to give her every chance to get back to this country alive to be tested in James Cook Hospital.”
Marie stated that if her aunt didn’t survive the journey, they wouldn’t hold anyone responsible and this has been explained to the insurance company and the hospital.
She continued: “We believe she’s holding on and fighting to let us know she’s not gone and won’t give up, so we should be trying too.
“As soon as the hospital said she was fit to fly we were all celebrating thinking this is it we’re going home and then the doctors from the insurance say we don’t agree, she’s not fit to fly by any way or means. So we’re all depleted again.”
Marie’s daughters Gina and Nicola have jetted out to Thailand to be with their mum and dad. Ray and Marie have been wed for 55 years and have been together since they were teenagers.
Their niece Marie revealed her aunt is a well-known figure in Eston. “She was a stunning and amazing bubbly woman and was super healthy and fit for her age,” she explained.
“She worked at a drug rehabilitation centre in Redcar up until she fell ill with cancer and also worked at a school providing temporary cover. Years ago she worked at Ladbroke’s.”
Marie described her 75-year-old uncle as being in “an absolute state”, explaining: “He’s been there for so long now. Every time they are going to the hospital they are saying goodbye.
“They don’t know if it’s the last time they will see her because they’re only allowed in at certain times because she’s in the ICU and because of the infection.”
Marie revealed the family is “going through hell” and intends to pursue the matter further as “we wouldn’t do this to an animal, let alone a human.”
The spokesperson for Aviva said: “Travel insurance plays a vital role in supporting our customers should any unforeseen emergencies arise, whether in the lead‐up to a trip or while abroad. This can include covering urgent medical treatment, as well as additional accommodation and travel costs if a customer unfortunately falls ill or is injured on holiday.
“In more serious circumstances, travel insurance may also cover medical repatriation, allowing customers to return home for further care – a process that is always guided by medical advice. We will only proceed with this if qualified doctors and consulted medical experts confirm it is safe to do so, as medical repatriation is a complex procedure and, if carried out against medical advice, could risk further complications.
Aviva will also work closely with the medical professionals in the customer’s holiday destination to regularly review their condition, while providing on-going support to both the customer and family. If you – or anyone else covered by your policy – becomes ill while on holiday, contact your insurer, who can advise on how to access the appropriate medical care and guidance.”
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