Family criticises travel company after Mansfield great-grandma dies on holiday in Benidorm

Craig Deegan, aged 55, went for a week away in Benidorm with his mum Christine O'Hagan, aged 81, a retired chiropodist of Rainworth, and her husband Eoin O'Hagan, 58.

Mr Deegan, a singer who performs in pubs, working men's clubs and casinos, said his mum fell from her wheelchair on January 28, in what he described as a "freak accident" - the day before they were due to come home.

He said she suffered a broken hip and skull and was pronounced dead in hospital abroad at around 6.30am on February 1.

He claimed the family asked the travel operator, TUI, for help in providing a Spanish-speaking representative to offer advice and help them to communicate with hotel and hospital staff about what to do.

He said it would have made a "massive difference".

Mr Deegan told the Notts Post that the family tried on "several occasions" to contact a Spanish TUI helpline for support. He said his Spanish was "rusty" and described Mr O'Hagan's as "non-existent".

"They re-routed us by the English head office. There was never anybody available. It was nonsense," he said.

"I would have liked them to find Eoin a hotel nearer to the hospital. It cost him him £20 each way to visit the hospital [by taxi].

"They said the only people that could help would be the English head office. We contacted the English [head office], they told us there were no members of staff available and nobody available to speak Spanish."

"We are all crushed. It was so sudden," he added.

"She was a live wire with many years left to live."

After Mrs O'Hagan was admitted to hospital, her husband stayed in the country. They were both covered by travel insurance.

Mr O'Hagan, who has severe epilepsy, stayed in a sister hotel to the one the family booked to stay in originally.

Mr Deegan flew back home the day after his mum's fall as he did not have travel insurance.

He flew back to Benidorm in a bid to see her on the day she died.

He said: "We feel very let down by all concerned."

Now back in the country, the family are preparing for Mrs O'Hagan's funeral on Wednesday (February 20) at Gedling Crematorium.

She was a grandma and great-grandma.

A TUI UK spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Ms O’Hagan at this very sad time. We are in direct contact with her family to address their concerns and offer our support."