British pensioner faces £40,000 hospital bill after falling ill in Mexico

Andrew and Colin Read
Andrew and Colin Read



A British holidaymaker who is critically ill in Mexico after developing pneumonia and bronchitis faces a £40,000 medical bill after a travel insurance company allegedly refused to pay out.

Colin Read, 72, headed to popular resort Cancun with his wife Sandra, 68, on May 8, but just days into their dream holiday with Thomson, he fell ill and was admitted into intensive care.

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His medical bills are rising and now his family has been forced to raise £40,000 to cover the costs after they claim insurance firm Axa refused to pay out, stating that he did not declare a pre-existing medical condition.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, his son Andrew Read said: "We are all disgusted with Axa.

"We are all very stressed and running out like mad trying to sort it out, but if I sat back and thought about it, I think I would cry."

He added: "My mum is going out of her mind. She has been sleeping on the benches at the hospital."

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help raise enough money for Colin's hospital bills.

A Thomson spokesman told the South Whales Argus: "We're sorry to hear that Mr Read has been taken ill on his holiday in Mexico. We ask all our customers who choose to take insurance to declare any pre-existing medical conditions.

"It would be inappropriate for us to speculate on conversations Mr Read may have had with his insurance provider. AXA are in direct contact with Mr Read's family and a member of our team is providing support in resort. We hope he gets well soon."

Is Travel Insurance Necessary?
Is Travel Insurance Necessary?

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