Mum 'died in the sea and brought back to life' before daughter's dream wedding
A British family has reacted in horror after being asked to fork out £60,000 to pay for the life-saving operation of a grandma, who suffered a heart attack in Jamaica. Social worker Debbie Willcock collapsed in the Caribbean sea on the family's dream holiday and remains in a Montego Bay hospital where doctors say they will only operate once the bill has been paid upfront.
The 62-year old had travelled with her family last week for her daughter's wedding, which was subsequently called off as a result of the tragic episode. To add insult to injury, insurer AXA Partners is refusing to pay out, citing Debbie's accidental failure to disclose she has diabetes - something her family was unaware of when the policy was purchased.
A spokeswoman for the insurance company said it was "crucial that previous medical history and any pre-existing conditions are declared".
Debbie, from Bolton, Greater Manchester, was rushed to hospital immediately after the heart attack, but her family says medics refused to stabilise her until her husband had come up with £16,000 in life savings. She now requires a stent to be fitted, which the family is hoping to raise money for via GoFundMe.
Son Aaron, 38, meanwhile, said his mum had been moved out of intensive care and into "a side room" as the money they had already paid for intensive care ran out. Describing Debbie's ordeal, he told the M.E.N: "She had a heart attack and cardiac arrest. She actually died on the beach but they managed to bring her back to life. It was very scary.
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
Debbie (left) had travelled to the Caribbean to attend her daughter's wedding (MEN Media)"She fell back into the water. I was able to bring her out of the water and we performed CPR, myself and my dad. Luckily there was a doctor on the beach and we got some help. Someone brought over a defibrillator. We took her to hospital and they just basically said they wanted £16,000 before they would even look at her. At this point she was still dying. Fortunately my dad was able to pay it up front. They put her in intensive care which is about £8,000-a-day and they have stabilised her.
"When she got the insurance, she was careful to get the premium insurance. They've just voided the insurance because she didn't tick the diabetes box. We are just devastated. She's a social worker and she's spent the last 20 years looking after people with heart problems and elderly people. I just want her to be getting the help she needs and to bring her back to normal.
"She doesn't smoke. She doesn't drink. She's had mild diabetes but that's it."
Debbie's daughter, Ashley, 36, had been due to marry partner Daniel Jones in a ceremony in front of guests including their six children when the unfortunate events unfolded. Aaron added: "She's just more worried about her mum. You can get married another time. You can never get your mum back again. She's in a very bad way."
A spokesperson for AXA Partners told the M.E.N: "We sympathise with Ms Willcock’s situation. When purchasing travel insurance it is crucial that previous medical history and any pre-existing conditions are declared for all those named on the policy. Not doing so can invalidate a policy and we make this clear at multiple stages when customers buy their travel insurance with us."
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