British tourist stranded with £30,000 medical bill

A British tourist is reportedly stranded in Turkey because she cannot pay a medical bill of £30,000.

According to the Daily Telegraph, 18-year-old Sarah Webster fell from a balcony in the resort of Marmaris on Friday night, fracturing both thigh bones, her wrists and her skull.

Ms Webster, who is reportedly a keen show-jumper, is now considering selling her pony to come up with the bill.

The newspaper reports that she was in possession of an E111 form, which allows free medical care in EU countries. Turkey, of course, is not in the EU – but Ms Webster says her local post office issued and stamped the form even though she had clearly stated her destination.

She discovered it was not valid in Turkey when she was taken to hospital – and that she was not covered by insurance because she had been drinking before the incident.

Her sister reportedly said: “Sarah thought she would be covered by the E111. I understand insurance companies say in their small print that any alcohol-related activities that result in hospital treatment are the responsibility of the individual. It’s pretty harsh because most people have a drink on holiday.”

The Telegraph quotes a Department of Health spokesman as saying: “Travellers to Turkey are not covered by the arrangements set out in the E111 form. We would remind travellers that they should take out adequate travel insurance before they go abroad.”

Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd