A break in the South of France... interrupted by a heart attack

David Lord kept a mobile home in the South of France and went there at least once a year. When David had time to squeeze in another trip he jumped at the chance…

Late season sunshine made the extra break very enjoyable, but the journey home suddenly became a nightmare when David suffered an attack of angina and a poisoned leg infection.

The situation would have been serious enough back in the UK, but David faced the added complications of still being in the South of France. Having been admitted to a private clinic in Albi, near Toulouse, David's condition stabilised, but it was still apparent that he would need to stay in hospital for 10 days.

"The worst thing, obviously, was not having my wife there with me because she had to stay in England. But that's where Europ Assistance came into their own. They were in constant touch with the hospital, and kept my wife informed of my progress on a daily basis."

After two weeks David was able to return home, but the hospital and Europ Assistance agreed that a doctor should accompany him on the flight.

"Europ Assistance arranged everything - from organising the doctor, to booking seats on the plane, to making sure an ambulance was waiting at Heathrow when we landed. The ambulance then took me back to my home in Salisbury where my wife was waiting. I cannot fault the Europ Assistance service; I just hope I never have to call on them again in similar circumstances."