Girl suffers six-month recovery after Turkey bus crash on family holiday

A mother from North Wales is urging travelers to prioritize travel insurance after her 12-year-old daughter suffered serious injuries in a bus crash during a family holiday in Turkey. Emma Williams, from Llanrug, shared her harrowing experience after the incident left her daughter Greta with a fractured sacrum and pelvis. The family’s travel insurance covered medical evacuation and care, highlighting the importance of adequate coverage.

On July 22, Emma Williams, her partner Len, and their daughters Greta, 12, and Eiry-ana, 8, were on a family holiday at the Eftalia Ocean Hotel near Alanya, Turkey. The trip, organized through Jet2, included excursions such as a visit to the Green Canyon, where they swam before heading to a waterfall and zoo. While traveling in a bus operated by Tony Montana Excursions, the driver lost control while overtaking another vehicle, causing the bus to flip multiple times downhill.

Williams described the terrifying moments as the bus rolled, nearly hitting a tree before landing on its side. Greta was partially ejected through a window, with half of the bus crushing her pelvis and hips. Len, who was also thrown from the bus, held their youngest daughter Eiry-ana to keep her safe. Emergency responders and other passengers rushed to flip the bus and free Greta, who was trapped underneath.

Greta was freed within five minutes and rushed to Ozel Manavgat Eslem Hastenesi hospital in an ambulance. She underwent a CT scan and X-ray before being airlifted to The Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran, Wales, via an air ambulance covered by their £106 travel insurance policy. The flight alone cost €50,000, underscoring the financial protection insurance provides.

Greta spent eight days in a Turkish hospital before her medical evacuation. Upon returning to the UK, she began physiotherapy and is scheduled for a medical assessment on September 2 to determine when she can return to school. Doctors have advised strict bed rest, limiting her mobility during recovery.

Williams emphasized the emotional toll of the accident, saying her daughter was petrified and sought comfort from her family. Despite the trauma, Greta has shown remarkable resilience. The family, however, remains deeply affected, with Williams noting the incident will haunt them forever. They are now considering a low-key holiday to help rebuild their confidence, though the children are hesitant to travel again.

Graeme Buck, from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), stressed the importance of comprehensive travel insurance, especially for activities abroad. He advised travelers not to base their policy solely on price and to ensure coverage includes medical emergencies and potential evacuations.

The incident has also raised concerns about tour operators’ safety standards. Williams called for greater scrutiny of excursion providers, urging families to prioritize safety over cost when planning trips.

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