A father has raised a cautionary message for travelers following the tragic passing of his son beside his two boys during a flight to Bulgaria.
Chris Neill, aged 40, and his sons Reece, 20, and Archie, 9, embarked from Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport to Burgas on September 16 last year, when Chris suddenly fell ill mid-flight. In response, Chris’ parents, Mal and Lesley, initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover the costs of repatriating Chris’ body back to the UK.
The fundraiser saw remarkable success, surpassing the £15,000 target by accumulating nearly £10,000. On the anniversary of Chris’ demise, Mal disclosed that the funds facilitated Chris’ repatriation and funeral expenses, with the surplus being allocated to a trust fund for the two sons.
The following day, Mal traveled to Germany to escort Reece and Archie back to the UK, while he remained in Cologne to handle the coroner’s procedures, as reported by the Manchester Evening News. Mal emphasized the importance of travel insurance, citing that Chris mistakenly believed he was covered through his former bank account, Halifax, which had lapsed.
Mal, 69, who is battling terminal cancer and resides in Bromborough, Merseyside, emphasized the significance of securing travel insurance before embarking on trips. He underscored the necessity of verifying insurance coverage, cautioning against assuming coverage exists without confirmation.
Reflecting on their loss, Mal shared that Reece, his girlfriend, and friends climbed Snowden in memory of Chris. He highlighted their bond with Rachael-Victoria Leyland, the paramedic who tried to save Chris on the flight, expressing gratitude for her efforts and the enduring friendship that blossomed from the tragic incident.
Rachael-Victoria recounted the events on Facebook, detailing her attempts to assist Chris during the flight and the collaborative efforts to provide emergency medical care. Despite their best efforts, Chris unfortunately succumbed to the medical emergency upon landing.
In a poignant tribute to his son, Mal reminisced on Chris’ vibrant personality, describing him as a devoted Everton fan who cherished his children and radiated positivity. Mal fondly recalled Chris’s zest for life, generous spirit, and universal popularity among those who knew him.