A mother’s anticipated £2.5k family vacation to Turkey turned into a nightmare when she slipped on a wet floor of a ‘pirate boat’ and suffered a severe leg injury. Shannon Hill, 34, had planned the trip with her husband and their two young children, Dexter, four, and Penelope, two, along with her mother-in-law, marking their first overseas getaway since 2019. Their two-week holiday in Antalya, Turkey, commenced on May 6.
Initially, the family enjoyed a blissful week at the four-star resort, relishing their long-awaited family vacation. However, their excitement took a sharp turn on May 16 during a pre-booked ‘pirate ship boat trip’ that thrilled the children. While using the boat’s restroom, Shannon slipped on an unmarked wet floor, resulting in a disturbing “snap” in her lower right leg.
Upon medical examination, it was discovered that Shannon’s leg had fractured in three places, necessitating immediate surgery to insert screws and a metal plate to realign the bones. Enduring excruciating pain, she spent three days in a Turkish hospital before returning to the UK on their scheduled flight with her leg immobilized in a cast. To her dismay, UK doctors later revealed that the initial surgery did not meet their standards, requiring an additional operation to rectify the issue.
Shannon, a private tutor from Epsom, Surrey, expressed her distress, recounting the incident as she struggled to walk again and awaited the forthcoming surgery in December, followed by extensive physiotherapy. The distressing experience left her traumatized, instilling a fear of wet floors and boats, making her hesitant to plan another holiday.
The accident occurred during the family’s holiday, for which they had diligently saved £2.5k. The unfortunate incident unfolded as Shannon slipped near the restroom on the boat, resulting in a severe leg injury. Recalling the moment of agony, Shannon described the harrowing experience of hearing her leg snap, prompting her husband to assist her back to the deck.
After enduring a five-hour wait until the boat docked, Shannon was promptly taken to the hospital, where X-rays revealed the severity of her injury. Following a grueling two-hour surgery under epidural anesthesia, Shannon faced post-operative challenges, including limited pain relief due to breastfeeding her youngest child.
Despite the hurdles, Shannon’s resolve was evident as she pursued weekly check-ups to monitor her progress, gradually transitioning from immobility to using a supportive boot. However, the road to recovery remains arduous, with an impending second surgery and prolonged physiotherapy looming ahead.
Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Shannon expressed her lingering physical and emotional pain, underscoring the lasting impact of the incident on her family’s holiday memories. The company overseeing the boat trip acknowledged the unfortunate nature of the incident, detailing their efforts to assist Shannon and ensure her prompt medical care.
As Shannon navigates her recovery journey, the repercussions of the holiday mishap continue to resonate, shaping her outlook on future travel plans.
