British holidaymaker ‘paralysed’ after neck broken in pool belly flop on final day in Turkey
A 24-year-old British holidaymaker suffered a devastating neck injury during a pool jump in Turkey, leaving his family facing huge medical and repatriation costs.
A BRITISH holidaymaker has been left “instantly paralysed” after breaking his neck in a horrific pool accident on the final day of a romantic getaway in Turkey.
William Ponter, 24, had travelled to Turkey with his girlfriend Rebecca Francey, 27, on August 28.
But the couple’s dream holiday turned into a nightmare on September 3 – just one day before they were due to fly home.
Rebecca said the pair had been jumping into the pool when William went in and failed to resurface.
She said she dived into the water and found the electrician floating face down before pulling him out.
“He floated to the surface face down,” Rebecca said. “I jumped in and I pulled him out and he said he couldn't move.”
An ambulance was called and William was rushed to hospital, where doctors discovered he had suffered a serious neck injury.
He underwent a gruelling 13-hour operation, with his C4 bone removed after doctors feared he could suffer a stroke. Rebecca said he was also struggling to breathe.
The couple had been expecting to leave Turkey the following day when disaster struck.
Rebecca said: “It just felt like a dream I was going to wake up from.”
Following the operation, doctors told Rebecca the prognosis was that William would be paralysed from the neck down.
The devastated girlfriend said they still have “no idea” what the future holds while William remains in intensive care.
But the family is already facing a huge financial battle, with hospital treatment said to have cost around £50,000 so far.
Rebecca claims William’s intensive care is costing a further £2,000 a day, while getting him back to the UK could cost at least another £40,000.
She has launched a £150,000 fundraiser to help cover the medical bills and repatriation costs.
“We just all want him home because it couldn't have happened to a better person, it's not fair,” Rebecca said.
“Just a split second just changed everything.”
She also urged other holidaymakers to check their travel insurance carefully before travelling.
“Just check with your insurance what's covered before you go,” she said.