Alan Kirby, a 67-year-old British man from Marston Magna, has sadly passed away after falling seriously ill during a family holiday in Greece. Alan died on Tuesday, August 26, at a hospital in Athens due to septic shock, his family confirmed.
Alan’s health quickly deteriorated after he was diagnosed with a chest infection and suspected cancer shortly after arriving in Greece on July 6. He was placed in a medically induced coma, from which he never recovered.
Before the trip, Alan had no indication that he was seriously unwell. However, complications arose because Alan did not declare a benign tumor, a pre-existing condition, on his travel insurance form. Although the tumor required no active treatment and had minimal impact on his daily life, this omission meant his insurance did not cover his repatriation to the UK.
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In response, Alan’s family raised £9,500 aiming to bring him home for further treatment. Unfortunately, the target was not met before his passing. The funds raised will now be used for his cremation in Athens, where a service will be held on Saturday, August 30. Friends and loved ones are invited to gather at the Marston Inn in Marston Magna at 10 am UK time to pay their respects.
Liza Whitemore, Alan’s daughter-in-law, expressed her gratitude to those who donated, emphasizing the importance of thoroughly reading insurance policies and fully disclosing all medical conditions. She also advised travelers to carry valid European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) and, if needed, obtain ‘fit to fly’ certificates before traveling.
The family will also hold a raffle today, originally to fund Alan’s repatriation, with proceeds now going to support another family facing similar circumstances.
Allianz, the insurance company involved, stated that the failure to disclose the benign tumor constituted grounds for denying coverage, regardless of whether the condition was related to Alan’s current illness. They confirmed they had initially covered some costs but later declined the claim due to the undisclosed pre-existing condition.
Alan Kirby’s tragic passing serves as a poignant reminder for travelers to be vigilant about their insurance disclosures and ensure comprehensive coverage, especially when pre-existing medical conditions are involved.