Stranded Army vet says insurance firm won’t pay for stay
AN army veteran is stranded in Lanzarote with pneumonia for 12 weeks and his family say that the insurance company will not pay for his stay.
Paul Kyriacou travelled to Lanzarote with his wife Tracey for a two-week holiday at the end of February – just before the coronavirus pandemic escalated.
However, on the last day of the holiday Paul, who served more than 22 years in the Army and the rest in the NHS, collapsed and developed pneumonia.
He was then admitted to hospital.
The 57-year-old has been advised by medical professionals to selfisolate in Lanzarote for 12 weeks after being declared unfit to fly.
Despite having insurance, the family say the company is not covering them for the cost of accommodation of £500 a week.
Speaking from Lanzarote, Paul said he is scared to go to the airport in case he catches coronavirus.
“The insurers want to put me on a 45-hour flight via Madrid and Barcelona when I’m supposed to be self-isolating.
“It’s just crazy. They wanted to put my life at risk to fly me back.
“I’m not staying here for fun, I would much rather be back home in Manchester and closer to my family but the insurers are just not interested.”
Paul’s daughter Cara Lewis, who lives in Bridgend, is trying to raise as much money as possible to cover the costs.
“He had valid insurance but they are refusing to help in any way towards accommodation,” she said.
“My dad and his wife are staying in the villa which was £1,000 a week, but we have managed to get that down to £500.
“He has callously been told by advisers over the phone to either get a flight or fund the stay himself.”
As Spain is currently on lockdown, there are no direct flights out of the country.
Although Cara says this would not be an option for her dad even if there were flights.
“If he contracts Covid-19 it could very likely kill him, he is very high risk,” Cara added.
“I am disgusted that he could be treated like this. His wife is unable to return home, as she is his carer and therefore unable to work.
“He is being abandoned and his money is going to run out.
“This is not sustainable for 12 weeks; however, he has no choice.”
A JustGiving page has been set up by Tracey at www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/ traceykyriacou-1.