An urgent appeal has been launched to help a severely injured grandad return to the UK after an insurance error left him stranded in a hospital abroad.

14:50, Fri, Nov 14, 2025 Updated: 14:50, Fri, Nov 14, 2025

A British holidaymaker is facing a rising medical bill after fracturing his neck, skull and suffering multiple bleeds on the brain on his holiday in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Brian Ackroyd was walking around Cavtat on a publicly accessible walkway on October 27 when the accident occurred.

His partner believes he lost his footing before smashing his head on a rock. The father-of-three can no longer walk and is struggling to use his hands after experiencing nerve damage. Following several days spent in intensive care, the 65-year-old is being treated on a neurology ward in Dubrovnik General.

Doctors have told his family there is nothing else they can do to help him further and he should return to the UK for intensive treatment. The grandfather was insured with Admiral but had failed to disclose he had been diagnosed with type two diabetes. This meant his claim was deemed null and void. Admiral has said they can’t comment on the situation without his consent but that they have made a goodwill payment to help with costs.

His family have said this will not be enough to cover the flight home. Brian’s son Richard told Teesside Live: “Being 65 it seems he wasn't the best with inputting his details and medical records on a computer online and didn't input on his policy that he was diabetic or had seen his GP three or four months earlier.

“The accident had nothing to do with any of these things. But, the insurance has pulled out and given us an estimate of between £35,000 and £40,000 to get him the medical flight back to the UK.”

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Old Town of Dubrovnik, Croatia

Old Town of Dubrovnik, Croatia (Image: Getty)

Richard shared that the goodwill payment made by Admiral was £5000, but the family are struggling to work with the discrepancy. Admiral had initially agreed to repatriate Brian back to the UK despite the missing diabetic statement. But after receiving a GP report stating he had attended an appointment a few months prior, they cancelled the policy and compared it to fraud.

Brian, who lives in Lancashire, worked as a truck driver until he had to retire due to prostate cancer. His partner Debbie told Teesside Live that he did have savings, but had to use them following his diagnosis as he was unable to work. An urgent appeal set up for Brian on GoFundMe has raised £8000 so far.