British great-gran, 74, stuck in Mexico with £50,000 hospital bill after holiday insurance mix-up
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A great-grandmother is trapped in a hospital in Mexico with a £50,000 hospital bill after a mix-up with her holiday insurance.
Joyce Kettle, 74, was on a luxury cruise to Cuba, Jamaica and Mexico with pal Anne Henderson and her son, John, when tragedy struck.
After leaving the port near Mexico, Joyce began suffering from severe breathing difficulties.
The widow was then airlifted to a hospital in Cozumel, a holiday island near Cancun, and underwent a heart operation on Monday, which required three stents.
She is now recovering in hospital but her insurance, issued through a bank account, does not cover her treatment.
Joyce mistakenly believed it was worldwide holiday insurance policy but in fact it is only for European trips.
It means Joyce, from Blyth, Northumberland, has been left with a medical bill standing at $72,662 - equivalent to £51,212 - plus doctors’ fees.
(Image: PA)
Les Chrisp, partner of Joyce’s youngest daughter Leanne, said the family is desperate to get her home.
“The family is a wreck at the moment and it has been horrific because there has been such a lack of communication,” he told the Newcastle Chronicle.
“We got the news at 3am on Monday but didn’t hear anything official until 9pm. For 18 hours we didn’t know if she was dead or alive.
“The family and the kids have been a mess and we feel completely powerless.”
Joyce's family is now trying to raise money towards medical costs and the price of flying her home.
Writing on a Gofundme page they said: "We’re a proud family and never anticipated having to do anything like this but we really need your help, no matter how small it is, as we simply don’t know how else we’ll get my mam back to us!"
Joyce has three children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, and is a retired care home assistant.
Builder Les, 38, said: “She lives for family and she eats, sleeps and dreams the kids.
“She is at her happiest when she is with the family. She comes over all the time and doesn’t like sitting in the house on her own.”
(Image: PA)
Already, friends and loved ones have raised thousands of pounds but the family fear the price of getting her back to the North East could spiral.
Les said: “We’re gobsmacked that people have been so generous. People haven’t got a clue who we are, it’s incredible.
“Joyce is really well known in the area and everyone knows her face. We’ve had so much support.”