Brit father in hospital after suffering heart attack while swimming in Magaluf… but insurance company REFUSES to pay because he had alcohol in his system
Mike Knight, who had never been abroad before, was enjoying a getaway on the eve of his 50th birthday
A BRITISH dad-of-seven who suffered a heart attack while on holiday has been left stranded in a "critical condition" in Majorca because his insurance company won't fork out because he had alcohol in his system.
Doctors fear Mike Knight, from Salford, Greater Manchester, has brain damage after being pulled from the sea off the coast of Magaluf, Majorca.
The 49-year-old, who was holidaying on the Spanish island ahead of his 50th birthday in November, was spotted waiving for help by lifeguards after going for a swim.
But his family have confirmed that the devoted father, who is a carer to his partner of 10 years, suffered cardiac arrest while being helped to shore.
After several minutes of unconsciousness, brave Mike was resuscitated on the beach.
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His family have launched an appeal to raise £13,000 to fly him home by air ambulance after falling out with insurers who refuse to pay because Mike had alcohol in his system at the time of the accident.
Speaking with the , his brother Chris, 57, said: “Whatever happens, he will never be the same again.”
Mike was rushed to Majorca’s Inca Hospital where he is breathing through a tracheostomy and has pneumonia.
Medics believe the family man, who currently lives in Tyldesley, near Wigan, has suffered brain damage.
Loving brother Chris said the holiday was an early birthday present for Mike – who had never been on an airplane before.
He said: “It was something he had been looking forward to. He had always wanted to go abroad and had never flown before.
“It is really sad. He was loving the holiday and was telling me that it was red hot. He was in his element.
“He’s a lovely cheerful man who never has a bad word for anyone and always has a smile on his face.
They say miracles can happen and we are praying for one.”
Mike, who previously worked as a metal finisher in Salford, flew out to Majorca on September 21 before tragedy struck two days later.
Chris said the family are frustrated at the changing reports from Spain about his sibling’s condition and the details of the accident.
Authorities have told the family that Mike had swam quite far out to sea while his relatives insist he is a competent swimmer.
There are also reports that a storm hit the Playa De Magaluf bay while Mike was swimming.
The family’s urgent Just Giving appeal has reached more than £2,200
Younger brother Stephen Knight, 43, told the MEN that Mike is in a “critical but stable” condition.
He said: “We just want him back home.
“We’re desperate and we want to thank everyone who has donated.
“The doctors are saying that he has probably got brain damage and at the moment, he is breathing through a tracheostomy.
“He is critical but stable.
“How far out he was or how long he was under the water for we do not know.”
Chris added: “We just want him home in case anything happens.
“This sort of thing should just not have happened to someone like Mike.
“Whatever happens, he will never be the same again. It’s heartbreaking.”
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