William Ponter, a 24-year-old electrician from Lancashire, was left "instantly paralysed" after breaking his neck while belly-flopping into a hotel pool in Turkey on 3 September, the final day of a holiday with his girlfriend, Rebecca Francey. The case highlights the severe medical and financial consequences of a split-second accident abroad, particularly when travel insurance does not fully cover treatment or repatriation.

Ponter underwent 13 hours of surgery, during which his C4 vertebra was removed due to fears he could suffer a stroke, and doctors believe he will be paralysed from the neck down. He remains in intensive care, with hospital fees already reaching £50,000 and costing around £2,000 a day, while Francey says a further £40,000 is needed to bring him home to the UK. She has launched a fundraiser seeking £150,000, explaining that Ponter did not have the correct insurance in place, and is urging other travellers to check exactly what their policies cover before going abroad.