Balcony fall man to be discharged but cannot walk

A man who fell four floors from a hotel balcony in Cyprus last month says he is due to be discharged from hospital but still cannot walk.

Sam Hudson, 24, from Lincoln, was away with his stepbrother and friend when the accident happened, leaving him with a broken pelvis and broken bones in his spine.

He did not take out travel insurance, meaning he had to wait for official paperwork to be completed before doctors at Nicosia General Hospital would operate. His family think further hospital treatment is needed when he returns to England.

Mr Hudson said: "I can't put pressure on my legs because I've lost a lot of muscle strength because of lying down for so long."

He added: "Because of where it was broken, it was really hard to move my leg. I still can't really lift it up.

"I have to wiggle my foot and then use a hoist to sit up. I have to lift the bed and shuffle over to the wheelchair."

Mr Hudson does not remember much about his holiday or the accident, but it is thought he was trying to climb from his bedroom balcony to his stepbrother's in the next room.

The family set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to help with the costs and they said they would use the donations to fly him home with medical care.

They are trying to arrange a flight in time for when he is discharged but fear if they cannot get one he may have to stay with his stepmother, Karen, at the flat where she has been staying in Cyprus, until one is arranged.

Mr Hudson needs a wheelchair and the flat is not suitable to accommodate his needs.

She said: "He still has broken bones and fractures.

"He's still got a wound from his surgery, which needs the dressing changing every four days and he can't go to the toilet by himself.

"He's a trooper, he's fighting through this. He's not on as many painkillers now (as he was). He's young and determined."

Karen said an operation to put pins in either side of his pelvis took seven hours and there was also a break where his leg joint connects to the hip.

People have donated more than £5,000 to help the family, which she described as "overwhelming".

"People we don't know are contacting us and saying the message is getting across to people. Be careful if you've been drinking and have a balcony on your hotel room.

"If your friends have had one too many then put some furniture in the way so they can't get out on to the balcony either."

Mr Hudson has urged people to take out holiday insurance and make sure they have signed up for a Global Health Insurance Card to get emergency help if needed.

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