'Airport security couldn't match me to my passport after horror fall on holiday'
Sandy Rider was five days into her week-long holiday to Greece when she fell down an eight-inch step on the way back to her hotel, hitting the ground hard and badly injuring her face
A gran was so badly injured on a dream holiday to Greece that airport officials struggled to match her to her passport image on the return flight to the UK.
Sandy Rider was five days into her week-long holiday when she fell down an eight-inch step on the way back to her hotel with friend Susan Hardcastle after they had been out for the day on a boat trip.
The 67-year-old mum of two was left with nasty injuries to her face, neck, knees and chest after the fall in Parga, north west of Athens, Greece. She was rushed to the nearest hospital where she had stitches in her head.
The NHS worker says she was "devastated" and could barely recognise herself when she looked in the mirror. Sandy, from Bradford, West Yorkshire said: "My face took the brunt of the fall. I was just chatting away as I walked along and the next thing I was on the floor.
"I was down before I could think about putting my hands out. It really hurt when I hit the ground. My chest, elbow and shoulder scraped across the floor. My knees are still sore.
"People were passing me tissues because I was covered in blood.
"A Greek lady in a car pulled up and handed me her cardigan to soak up the blood and she took me to the medical centre. I wish I could thank her.
"I had to go to hospital and the taxi driver waited for me outside the hospital for two hours. He kept coming in to translate. Everyone was amazing.
"My face wasn't as bad until the next day when the bruising and swelling started. When I looked in the mirror, I was devastated. I was totally shocked. I was swollen, black and blue and had to wear a neck brace for four days.
"I kept thinking I've ruined my friend's holiday, I couldn't go snorkelling or go in the sun. Luckily we only had one day left."
The mum-of-two says her children were horrified when they saw her injuries. Sandy said: "I rang my kids first to warn them then I switched to video and they were devastated.
"My daughter wanted to get a flight to Greece and my granddaughter backed away from the camera."
She added: "In the UK, I had to go through border control because I couldn't be recognised against my passport due to the bruises and swelling.
"We'd been really looking forward to the holiday. It was a special treat and it was lovely until then."
The grandmother-of-one is sharing her story to warn holidaymakers about the importance of getting travel insurance. She spent £66 on insurance before travelling and didn't have to pay any medical bills at the hospital.
Sandy is also claiming back £180 for taxis, £40 for painkillers and £85 for a fit to fly note. She added: "You think it isn't going to happen to you but it all happened so quick to me.
"Not getting travel insurance is foolish. If something happens, it could end up costing you thousands and that's the last thing you need after an accident and while on holiday."
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