The family of a father who is in critical condition in Turkey following a scooter accident has been advised to travel to the country to bid their farewells. John Kearney, aged 64, was vacationing in İçmeler, Marmaris, when the incident occurred. He sustained a severe head injury after falling off a rented scooter while returning to his hotel on Tuesday night.
He was swiftly taken to a nearby hospital where he is currently fighting for his life. His daughter, Joanna Kearney, recounted the distressing phone call she received informing her of the situation. Two days post-accident, on October 2, the family was instructed to fly to Turkey as medical staff were planning to disconnect John’s life support on Sunday, October 5, necessitating final goodbyes.
Joanna, along with her uncle and friends, flew to Turkey to visit John, facing obstacles in seeing him initially due to visiting hours and weekend restrictions at the hospital. Eventually granted access, they were informed that the sedation would be reduced to assess any signs of brain activity or reflexes.
Joanna expressed the family’s struggle to comprehend the situation due to language barriers, emphasizing the overwhelming uncertainty surrounding John’s prognosis, medical expenses, and repatriation costs. She also disclosed that John’s insurance coverage might not apply due to his lack of a helmet during the accident, noting the absence of helmets among scooter renters in the area.
The family initiated a fundraising campaign to cover John’s medical bills and facilitate his return to Merseyside. Assessing John’s injuries hinges on the reduction of brain swelling, a process that will determine his chances of survival. The emotional toll on Joanna and her family remains immense as they navigate through this challenging period.