Grandad Graham Cliffe left to die in Majorca after insurers refuse to fly him home
INSURERS refused to fly a dying man back from Spain so he could spend his last days at home in North Staffordshire.
Grandad Graham Cliffe died in Majorca after being diagnosed with multiple brain tumours while on holiday.
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Graham Cliffe died in a Majorcan hospital
His family wanted him to be flown back to the UK in an air ambulance, but Graham's travel insurers Axa refused to meet the £30,000 cost.
They say the company claimed the 68-year-old should not fly, despite Spanish doctors giving him the green light to return home.
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Graham, from Abbey Hulton, eventually died in a Majorcan hospital with only his daughter Julie beside him.
She says Axa's refusal to help made a difficult situation almost unbearable.
Julie, aged 40, from Hanford, said: "It's been very sad that my dad didn't have all his family with him in the end.
"It's been tough for me as well, having to sort out everything on my own.
"We knew dad was going to die, but we just wanted him to be with his family.
"It was very frustrating dealing with Axa. Dad was in hospital for two weeks and he could have been brought back home in that time.
"The Spanish doctors said he could fly but Axa's own medical team said they couldn't risk it as it would not be medically beneficial.
"It only costs them £1,000 to fly a coffin back, so I think they were just looking to save money."
Graham was diagnosed with skin cancer a year ago but was given the all clear and visited his GP for a check-up shortly before his holiday.
He flew out to Menorca on May 6 with sons Graham and John Cliffe but was taken to hospital with suspected bleeding on the brain shortly after arriving.
He was subsequently transferred to a hospital in Majorca, where doctors gave him just days to live after discovering several secondary tumours in his brain.
As John is deaf, it was agreed Julie would travel to Majorca to oversee her dad's care while the sons returned home.
Julie kept in constant communication with her mum Pauline and the rest of her family, keeping them informed of Graham's deteriorating condition.
She added: "The last few weeks have been so hard for my family. Dad was very close to his granddaughter Marion and her daughter Summer.
"He was an amazing dad, the best you could wish for. He was really popular as well. We've had loads of friends paying tribute to him."
Julie and her family are now waiting for Axa to arrange for Graham's body to be repatriated.
A spokesman for Axa said: "We are sorry to hear of the death of Mr Cliffe. Due to the highly sensitive nature of this case we need to liaise with the family and investigate the claim thoroughly to provide a response.
"We will provide more details in due course but in the mean time, our thoughts are with Mr Cliffe's family at this tragic time."
Comment: Page 10
Comments
by magnum57
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 6:41PM
“A banned driver become a potential risk, they could have been banned for speeding or drink driving which means they are not safe drivers so they should have to pay more than a law abiding driver.
Do you expect a 18yr old male who has just passed his test to pay the same as a 50yrs old male with a clean licence?”
by salmanrushdi
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 6:28PM
“This really is shocking news about Axa In surance and their actions.
On a nother note:
Why should a driver who ghas been banned form driving pay extra insurance?
Surely the person banned has been punished enough with the ban court costs and fine?
Ther eis enough hardship in the world without giving Insurance Companies a free for all to charge what ever they like for insurance!!”
by magnum57
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 6:08PM
“If you have a pre diagnosed condition then its obvious your policy will cost more, insurers are taking a risk and if you are ill whilst on holiday from that condition then they will have to cover the cost of treatment.
If a person has just finished a 12 month driving ban you would not expect them to get a cheap car insurance policy would you.”
by invisable
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 5:22PM
“travel insurers are only after our money, the more money they make the better they feel. Boots travel insurance and the post office wont insure my hubby, because of existing condition. and thats for majorca. proves to me if you have medical conditions they dont want to know. So now i wouldnt use either of them for myself or the rest of my family. If they cant look after us when we need them , i turn my back on them in future. It did us a favour though because we got a good one in the end a lot cheaper. with medical screening included. We can now travel with an easy mind. my thoughts are with the family involved at tis sad time”
by Rich747
Monday, May 28 2012, 9:35PM
“Julie, Graham & John & Mrs Cliffe - my absolute deepest condolences to you, this should NEVER have been allowed to happen. He was one of the most kind-hearted, humorous, down to earth & popular blokes I ever knew. I'll never forget he paid for my holiday with you back
in the late 80s when I was unemployed & struggling for money. It's been a while, but when I picked up my sentinel I felt sick to my stomach, I can only imagine what you're going through.
Graham, you take care mate and look after your mum, I'm sure you will - you're a 1st class bloke, & Julie if there's anything I can do at all, please let me know.(07876402918) You all take care.
Axa - hang your heads in shame - don't hide behind any company policies / legislation & do the decent thing.
Rich B.”
by Potterspeil
Monday, May 28 2012, 7:56PM
“Deepest condolences to the Cliffe family; this must have been a truly devastating experience.
We pay our money to insure ourselves abroad, as recommended,but on the odd occasion we may find ourselves in need of the insurance and re-assurance, we find it not forthcoming.
Makes you wonder whether all that declaring of pre-existing conditions and increased premiums is worth the paper it is written upon? I suspect that this is not an isolated occurrence?
It really does make my blood boil when health tourists can flood into our country and receive immediate treatment on our wonderful NHS, whilst people like this are treated in such an inhumane way. Not the fault of the Mallorcan health service I may add but the fault of the greedy insurance companies we place our implicit trust in when venturing abroad.”
by Newcastle_Ram
Monday, May 28 2012, 7:08PM
“I used to work with AXA and i can only confirm this is them all over! Absolute disgrace!
my thoughts are with the family to have to go through this on top of the most difficult of circumstances”
by Clem51
Monday, May 28 2012, 3:49PM
“So upsetting for the family. My condolences to you.
Won't be recommending Axa to anyone in future....”
by mabazaritchie
Monday, May 28 2012, 1:58PM
“Disgusting.
Cheaper the let the guy die then fly a coffin home.
Sums AXA up...”
by anonfromstoke
Monday, May 28 2012, 12:45PM
“They are extremely quick in taking your money ! heartless uncaring toerags , we now know who to avoid when it comes to travel insurance. condolences to the family.”