Corfu honeymoon horror fall highlights need for insurance

Bride Carrie-Anne Freeland was paralysed after falling more than 30 feet.

Travel Insurance News - 19/08/2010

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Newlywed Carrie-Anne Freeland, 27, was left paralysed and in a Greek hospital after a terrifying 30-foot fall from the balcony of the hotel where she and husband Michael Dudbridge, 29, had just two days left on a surprise honeymoon trip funded by guests at their wedding. The nightmare continued after the couple discovered they had no insurance. The two had mistakenly thought their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) would cover them if they had any problems. However, the card, generally known as an E111, does not cover all costs and the couple have been left stranded on Corfu without any money.

The EHIC guarantees only to provide “the same level of medical health care as a local resident”. It does not, however, provide cover for any other costs. It will cost an estimated £16,000 to have Ms Freeland repatriated back to the UK for further medical treatment. Ms Freeland ended up breaking her spine in three places and is now paralysed. The couple, from Lewisham in South London, had just two days remaining in their holiday and had returned to their room from a romantic dinner. Ms Freeland went to the balcony for some fresh air and slipped, toppling 30 feet onto the grass below. Friends of the couple are now hoping to raise the money needed to bring them home.

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