Family's dream holiday turns to nightmare as man fights for life after complaining of dodgy belly
The Vorrias family were on the final day of their summer trip to Zakynthos when their brother became critically ill and his travel insurance was declared void
Elias Vorrias, 47; Yiota Vorrias, 50; and Jenny Vorrias, 52, pictured while on holiday
(Image: Supplied)
A British family are stuck in Greece caring for their critically ill brother after his travel insurance was deemed invalid. The Vorrias family, from Loughborough, were enjoying what they described as the "absolute time of our lives" holiday in Zakynthos when Elias Vorrias fell ill.
Elias, a 47 year old German shepherd breeder, had been sunbathing on Monday, July 21 - just days before he was due to return home. The next day, he began feeling "a bit shivery" with an "icky tummy", which the family initially attributed to the heat. However, by Tuesday, July 22, he was struggling to breathe and couldn't get out of bed, leading to an urgent call for an ambulance.
Elias was swiftly taken to a medical centre and then transferred to Zakynthos General Hospital on the same day. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here .
The following morning (Wednesday, July 23), as his sisters Yiota and Jenny Vorrias were preparing to fly back home, Elias' doctors informed them that "he's dying" and his condition was worsening, necessitating his move to the intensive care unit (ICU).
Elias's bank travel insurance provider has subsequently rendered his policy null and void owing to part of it being deemed invalid, reports Leicestershire Live. His relatives now confront a €40,000 bill for medical repatriation and are financing their prolonged stay in Greece independently, missing employment and spending approximately £80 daily on lodging and vehicle rental.
Yiota and her sibling were compelled to deliver continuous care for Elias during the initial 24 hours on the general ward, since which time he has contracted sepsis from a liver infection and multiple organ failure and is presently sedated in intensive care.
Yiota informed LeicestershireLive: "We were on a family vacation and having the absolute time of our lives and then everything changed. In Greece, you don't get any nursing care when you're on a general ward. They expect the family to look after the patient. The nurses are just there to give the medication."
The family has already received a €2,114 bill from the initial medical centre, which they cannot presently settle. Yiota explained: "We've said to them, you might have to just wait because we're still stuck in Greece we can't pay it at the moment, but we promise we will pay it because without your care and sending him to the hospital, he might not be here now."
Elias, who enjoyed a career in dance and entertainment whilst touring the globe aboard cruise ships, has been characterised by mates as the "most kindest, generous person that will do anything for anybody."
However, his deteriorating state has rendered him "almost like delirious", with Yiota explaining: "He's just trying to fight me and my sister whenever we're trying to stop him getting off the bed."
Medical staff have informed the family "it's a miracle he's got this far" according to Yiota, as Elias continues his fight against sepsis and multiple organ failure. He has also contracted pneumonia and remains unconscious due to a bronchial spasm which triggers distress when disturbed.
The relatives say they have been living "from hour to hour" and then "day to day" whilst his condition stays critical.
Both sisters have full-time employment they were due to resume in Loughborough on Thursday, July 24, yet they remain stuck abroad caring for Elias. Their 76 year old mum travelled out to Greece but found the 40C temperatures overwhelming, forcing her to remain indoors.
The family interpreted the insurance firm's notification that no financial assistance would be provided as confirmation they were "on their own" following the voiding of Elias's policy. Yiota commented: " We want to warn other families about making sure you share any past and present medical information, no matter how old, with any 'free' bank travel insurance you may have, to ensure no other families go through the nightmare we are living in another country right now."
A JustGiving page has been established to assist the family in raising the £38,000 required for an ICU air ambulance to bring Elias home for ongoing care. Further details, including how to contribute, can be found by searching for Elias Vorrias on the JustGiving website.
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