Freak accident on holiday left mother in coma
A WOMAN was left in a coma after being hit by a tree during a dream sunshine holiday.
Elaine Tracy was having a meal with her family when the tree crashed down on her.
Her injuries were so bad, her family and other diners initially thought she had been killed in the incident, which happened in an eating spot’s outdoor area on Lanzarote in the Canaries.
Following the July 23 incident Elaine suffered a broken jaw, smashed ribs and other serious injuries.
Her husband Tommy, 45, escaped relatively unharmed along with her two children, who were left traumatised by the incident.
Elaine had to be freed and was taken to hospital where she was placed in a medically induced coma.
A sun shade awning is believed to have been tethered to the tree which collapsed on the family from Garrowhill, Glasgow.
Last night Tommy’s mum, Kathleen, said the episode had been “terrifying for them all”.
She said: “Tommy thought Elaine had been killed.
“He thought she had died.
“Miraculously, she has escaped and is recovering.
“It all happened without warning giving them no time to escape.
“Elaine had 12 ribs and her jaw broken.
“She was put into a coma and only woke on Wednesday.
“When she came round she began to speak immediately to Tommy.
“We are hugely relieved that she was not brain damaged.
“Our prayers have been answered.”
The couple’s two young children were brought home last Tuesday by two aunts who flew out to the islands.
The close-knit family has rallied round to care for the youngsters and help them recover from witnessing their mum’s escape from death.
Tommy has stayed by Elaine’s bedside throughout the ordeal.
“The children are aware of everything that has happened and were understandably affected to see their mum injured,” added Kathleen.
“We are a very close family and they are getting all the love they need.”
Tommy’s brother has also flown out to join him and offer support.
The Guardia Civil and local police have launched an investigation into how the dragon tree – which is native to the Canaries – toppled over.
Around 1.5 million British tourists visit the holiday destination every year.