A dad who went on holiday with his son has spoken out about the nightmare which unfolded within the first 24 hours of the trip – and is still going on.
John Quinn went to Kalamaki on Zante on Saturday, June 6, for a week’s break with his son Lewis Quinn and family friend Shaun Clark. But within 24 hours of arrival, Lewis was seriously injured in a quad bike accident and has been hospitalised ever since.
John, from Fenham in Newcastle, explained to ChronicleLive that they had hired quad bikes with plans to tour the local area.
He said: “The following morning, we were notified by the guy who rented us the quads that there had been an accident. The police officer who dealt with it said that Lewis was in a serious condition.”
The 27 year old sustained a fractured arm and a jaw fractured in two places during the collision. He was rushed to hospital where medics put him on a ventilator.
His condition worsened when internal bleeding in his lungs triggered an infection that progressed to pneumonia. Following nearly a fortnight in hospital, Lewis is now awake and improving, though doctors haven’t confirmed when he’ll be well enough to leave hospital and return to the UK, reports Chronicle Live.
John, who works as a tattoo artist, described the ordeal as “very, very difficult”.
He told ChronicleLive: “I’ve have never experienced stress like this in my life. He’s been under sedation and they’re trying to bring him out of that to remove the tube, but he’s getting agitated.”
View 2 ImagesJohn Quinn and his son Lewis(Image: John Quinn)
Lewis, who currently resides in Bedford with his partner, had failed to arrange travel insurance prior to the journey. His mate Shaun has launched a GoFundMe appeal to support his continuing treatment, which has accumulated nearly £7,000 thus far.
John explained: “It (the GoFundMe) was originally for Lewis’s repatriation, but his partner has flown out and it’s also to help cover her accommodation and travel expenses. I have even considered cashing in my pension but it was going to take three weeks.
“This is all about his immediate care, not long term care. I just want him to be okay.”
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The 60 year old admits he’s desperate to accompany Lewis on the flight back to Britain, though he’s currently unable to predict when that might happen. Meanwhile, he’s ensuring he remains near the hospital where Lewis is receiving treatment, despite facing considerable difficulties.
He concluded: “I would like to fly home with Lewis. We’re between apartments as we’ve not have a tenancy for more than two nights, high season is approaching and I’m worried I won’t have a bed; it’s all very, very stressful.”
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