Benidorm hotel fall: Family launches £20,000 appeal for critically injured British teenager

A British family is asking for donations to help bring their 17-year-old son home after he suffered life-threatening injuries in a sixth-floor hotel balcony fall in Benidorm.

Teenager faces uncertain recovery

Jamie was on holiday with his mum, Gemma, and her friends when the incident happened at the Sol Pelicanos Ocas hotel on Tuesday night, November 10. He was initially taken to hospital in Benidorm before being urgently transferred to Alicante, where surgeons carried out emergency, life-saving surgery.

According to his aunt, Lauren Baker, Jamie suffered extensive fractures across both sides of his chest, a punctured lung and a ruptured artery. He also broke his pelvis, both legs and one arm.

Surgeons managed to control the ruptured artery and stabilise him, but the teenager is still in intensive care, heavily sedated. Doctors have warned the family that there is a risk of paralysis while they continue assessing the extent of his injuries.

Parents face mounting costs in Spain

Jamie’s aunt has launched a £20,000 GoFundMe appeal to bring him home, with donations intended to help his parents stay close to him and meet the costs of his eventual return to Britain.

His father, Kev, was working in Dover when he received the news and immediately travelled to Spain. With no accommodation arranged and no bank card with him, he even spent a night sleeping in the hospital waiting room so he could stay near his son.

Gemma is meanwhile trying to negotiate the insurance arrangements while coping with the shock of her son’s injuries. The family is receiving assistance from Lia’s Wings, a UK charity specialising in medical transfers for critically ill babies and children.

Depending on Jamie’s condition when doctors consider him fit to travel, his journey home could involve a dedicated medical flight or a medically supported commercial service.

The family has also highlighted the financial difficulties that can follow a serious medical emergency abroad, something experienced by other holidaymakers, including an Irish tourist facing a costly journey home after a Spanish motorbike accident.

Donations could make a difference

Lauren describes her nephew as a loud, funny, football-mad teenager and a devoted Manchester United supporter who is fiercely loyal to his family. She says the fundraising target will help cover expenses not met by insurance or charitable assistance, including accommodation, travel and the eventual journey home.

Any money left after Jamie’s needs and the family’s emergency expenses have been met is intended to go to Lia’s Wings to help another family facing a similar crisis.

Anyone wishing to help can donate through the Bring Our Jamie Home GoFundMe appeal. Those unable to contribute financially are also being encouraged to share the appeal.