Irish holidaymaker stranded in Spain after motorbike crash leaves family facing £13,000 repatriation bill

A holidaymaker from Ireland is stranded in a Spanish hospital after a motorbike crash left him with 11 broken ribs, a punctured lung membrane and several other serious injuries. John Donaghey was involved in the accident on Sunday, September 13, according to a fundraising appeal launched by his friend Sean Barr.

His injuries have been so serious that they mean he cannot currently fly back to Derry, Northern Ireland, with his family now facing a bill of around £13,000 for a medically supported road ambulance journey home.

11 broken ribs and a broken leg

John suffered 11 broken ribs, which punctured the membrane around his lungs and caused a pneumothorax. He also suffered a broken wrist in two places, a broken leg and severe road rash, abrasions caused by the accident. His wife, Grainnia, is with him while he receives treatment in Spain.

According to Sean, the hospital has said John cannot currently fly because of his respiratory problems and will not issue a fit-to-fly certificate. An air ambulance is also said to be ruled out for now. Sean said the only option is therefore to bring John home by road ambulance, with medical assistance provided during the journey.

Travel insurance dispute adds to pressure

John had bought travel insurance before travelling to Spain, but Sean says the policy will not cover the repatriation costs because of its terms, an issue many have been suffering since Brexit but few realised. Still today, many from the UK and Northern Ireland do not consider the extra cost involved in travelling to the EU now that the common European area treaties on health care have mostly ended.

The fundraiser is seeking £13,000 to pay for the journey, with already £9,504 raised from 178 donations when checked on September 21. Medical repatriation can become extremely expensive. Recent data from Staysure Expat from included a €108,566 repatriation from Portugal, while other cases ran into tens of thousands of euros. Figures like these help explain why the precise wording of a travel insurance policy can matter enormously if someone suffers a serious accident abroad.

EHIC does not cover getting you home

An EHIC or GHIC can provide access to medically necessary state healthcare in Spain under the relevant reciprocal arrangements, but it is not a substitute for travel insurance. UK government guidance specifically warns that medical repatriation to Britain is not covered by an EHIC or GHIC.

Travel insurance guidance also recommends checking that a policy covers medical repatriation and getting home after treatment if the original travel arrangements can no longer be used.

Sean is now asking people to help John get home to Derry so he can continue his recovery there. The fundraiser can be found at “Sean Barr’s appeal to bring John Donaghey home from Spain” on GoFundMe.