Full Breakdown
Scottish Tourist Injured in Greece Faces Costly Air-Ambulance Return
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident and Immediate Needs
Denby McLaren, a 30-year-old visitor from Larkhall, Scotland, fell from a third-floor balcony while celebrating her birthday on the Greek island of Rhodes. The three-storey drop left her unable to use her legs, with a broken vertebra and multiple foot fractures. Medical staff indicated that she will require an air-ambulance equipped with a stretcher and full medical assistance to return to Scotland. Her travel insurance does not cover the specialist flight, creating a significant logistical and financial hurdle.
Fundraising Efforts and Financial Strain
A GoFundMe campaign was launched to cover the air-ambulance costs. At the time of reporting, the fundraiser had collected nearly £19,000. They expressed that the primary goal is to bring Denby home safely so she can receive ongoing treatment and begin her recovery.
Statements from Denby and Her Family
Denby’s boyfriend, Craig Anderson, posted a statement on her behalf via Facebook. The message conveyed Denby’s gratitude for the outpouring of support, noting that she is unable to reply personally because of her condition. She asked supporters not to interpret the lack of direct responses as rudeness. The family echoed the emotional toll, describing the incident as “every family’s worst nightmare” and stressing that the priority is her safe return to Scotland.
Broader Implications
The case highlights a gap in travel-insurance coverage for emergency medical repatriation, leaving travelers reliant on charitable donations to meet urgent, high-cost medical transport needs. It underscores the financial vulnerability faced by individuals abroad when severe injuries occur and the importance of clear insurance provisions for specialist evacuation.