Scots gran fighting for life in Croatia after medical emergency on flight

A Scots gran is fighting for her life in a hospital in Croatia after suffering a medical emergency on her flight home.

Gina Thomson from Dundee became unresponsive on a flight home from a holiday in Turkey on September 9, with the plane diverting to Croatia.

She was rushed to KBC Hospital in Zagreb and admitted to intensive care.

The 66-year-old was placed on a ventilator and kept “heavily sedated” for weeks as doctors battled to stabilise her, according to friend Aileen Willard.

Aileen Willard and her friend Gina Thomson, who is in hospital in Croatia. GoFundMe

Doctors discovered that she was suffering from pneumonia, COPD, and other undiagnosed health issues.

A GoFundMe set up to support Ms Thomson says she slowly regained consciousness but remains “seriously unwell” with bronchitis.

The gran is currently relying on a tracheostomy to help her breathe.

Her friend is aiming to transport her home via a medical evacuation flight, as she had travelled without insurance.

However, the cost to do so has been quoted as more than £25,000.

A post on the fundraiser read: “Gina is a kind, caring, and fun-loving person who didn’t deserve for her holiday to end this way.

“All we want now is to bring her home, so she can be with her loved ones for Christmas, to recover in familiar surroundings, and to start rebuilding her strength.”

You can view the fundraiser here.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting a British woman who has been hospitalised in Croatia and are in contact with the local authorities.”