Well-wishers donate £16K to fly injured bride home

A Lewisham woman who sustained serious injuries after falling 30 feet from a balcony during a honeymoon in Greece will be able to fly home for treatment thanks to the donations of well-wishers.

The European Health Insurance card covers necessary medical treatment abroad

A Lewisham woman who sustained serious injuries after falling 30 feet from a balcony during a honeymoon in Greece will be able to fly home for treatment thanks to the donations of well-wishers.

Carrie-Anne Dudbridge, 27, fractured her spine in the accident, which happened on 14 August, during the holiday in Corfu with her new husband Michael, 29.

After returning from a romantic meal, Mrs Dudbridge, a primary school secretary, slipped and lost her footing on the balcony of their hotel room in Kavos.

With Mrs Dudbridge in hospital, paralysed by her injuries, the couple missed their flight back to the UK and were left stranded abroad with little money.

Language difficulties, no travel insurance cover, and the expensive special air ambulance that would be required to transport  Mrs Dudbridge home in her present condition meant that the situation seemed bleak.

The couple had believed that their European Health Insurance cards would cover any costs, but had failed to understand the terms of their coverage, which includes necessary medical treatment abroad but not repatriation.

But now, the pair will be able to return home after concerned strangers who saw their story in the British media donated more than £16,000 towards helping them.

Expressing the couple’s surprise and gratitude, Mr Dudbridge said: “We’re completely overwhelmed by the support. A huge thank you to everyone involved, and we can’t wait to thank everyone properly when we get home.”

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