Family Rushed to Turkey to Say Goodbye to Injured Father

The family of John Kearney, a 64-year-old father from Birkenhead, has traveled over 2,500 miles to Turkey after he suffered a severe head injury in a scooter accident. Kearney was on holiday in İçmeler, a resort town in Marmaris, when the incident occurred on the evening of September 30, 2023. Following his fall from a rented scooter, he was taken to a nearby hospital, where he is currently fighting for his life.

His daughter, Joanna Kearney, described the emotional turmoil of receiving the distressing news. “I got a phone call from his friend who was with him,” she recounted. “It still doesn’t feel real now.” Joanna expressed her disbelief at the situation, saying it felt like a scene from a movie rather than her reality.

Two days after the accident, on October 2, the family received a grave update from hospital staff, informing them that Kearney’s life support would be turned off on October 5. “We had to come and say goodbye,” Joanna shared. She, along with her uncle and friends, quickly arranged to fly to Turkey to be by her father’s side. They are staying in an apartment about an hour away from the hospital.

Upon their arrival, they encountered difficulties accessing Kearney due to visiting restrictions. Joanna explained, “The hospital wouldn’t let us go in at first because it was outside of visiting hours.” Eventually, they were permitted to see him. Hospital staff indicated they would reduce his sedation to assess any brain activity, which remains uncertain at this time.

Communication barriers have compounded the family’s distress. Joanna voiced her frustration, stating, “We have no idea what is going on, if he is going to survive, or how much hospital bills are going to cost.” She also expressed concern for her children back home, who are unaware of their grandfather’s critical condition.

Adding to their challenges, Joanna revealed that her father’s insurance provider is refusing to cover his medical expenses because he was “not wearing a helmet” during the accident. She noted that he was not provided a helmet when renting the scooter. “Nobody wears helmets here,” she remarked, highlighting a troubling norm in the area.

The family is currently fundraising to cover Kearney’s medical bills and the costs associated with bringing him back to Merseyside, regardless of the outcome. The emotional toll of the situation weighs heavily on Joanna, who admitted, “It’s so difficult, it’s soul destroying. I feel quite numb.”

As they navigate this harrowing experience, the Kearney family remains hopeful for recovery. They await updates on John’s condition as they grapple with the uncertainties that lie ahead. Donations to support the family can be made through their fundraising efforts.