The family of an 'amazing' and 'creative' 22-year-old from Bolton who is in hospital after a road accident in Cyprus have spoken of their anguish.
Ellie Horrocks, from Westhoughton, was rushed to hospital after her buggy overturned in the popular resort of Ayia Napa on Monday (June 26). Doctors put her into a medically-induced coma after she suffered a serious head injury and fractures to her spinal cord and clavicle.
Now her family have issued a desperate appeal to help bring her home as mum Leanne said they are suffering 'any parent's worst nightmare'.
Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, aunt Sarah said Ellie had moved to Cyprus in May to work in a bar and 'experience life'.
"She's young, so she likes going out with her friends, she's got loads and loads of friends, but she's also just a very creative person," Sarah said.
"She's a really, really, well-loved girl."
She told the M.E.N the 22-year-old had hired a buggy to go and see the sunset on another part of the resort when she was forced to swerve to avoid an oncoming car. Her buggy overturned, and Ellie was left with serious injuries to her head and spine.
Mum Leanne has flown to Cyprus to visit Ellie in Nicosia Hospital - but they're hoping to be able to raise enough money to bring the bartender home to recover.
"It's awful - none of us are sleeping," she said. "Her condition is just so unknown at the moment. Every day, her mum gets a call off the doctor at 11am, and then they can only see Ellie for one hour."
But the cost of bringing Ellie back to the UK could be as much as £60,000, and isn't covered by her insurance. The family have launched a GoFundMe, which has so far raised a staggering £24,000 to go towards the cost of an air ambulance.
In a statement on the GoFundMe page, mum Leanne said the family would 'really appreciate' any support.
"Your donation will go directly towards the cost of on-going medical treatment in Cyprus and an air ambulance back to the UK," she wrote. "Any amount you can contribute will help Ellie to get the care and treatment she needs to reach a full recovery."
"As you can imagine this is any parents worst nightmare and I desperately need to get her home."
Sarah said the family wanted to thank everyone who had donated so far, saying the family had been 'overwhelmed by the messages of support, even from strangers'.
"All the donations and the kindness everyone has shown has just been incredible. So we want to thank them all."
You can donate to the GoFundMe here.
