A British man is fighting for his life after suffering a seizure and severe head injury during a family holiday in Lanzarote.
Paul Grant, 43, had travelled to the Canary Islands with his family for an all-inclusive break after previously suffering a seizure following an assault in Newcastle around two months earlier.
But during the family’s first night at their hotel, Paul suffered another seizure and sustained a serious head injury, resulting in emergency surgery in which part of the right side of his skull was removed.
His sister, Kimberley Sharp, said Paul had struggled since being attacked for his phone and wallet in Newcastle.
She said: “A couple of months ago he got beaten up in Newcastle and had a seizure.
“He was jumped for his wallet and his phone, he was put into hospital and hasn’t been the same since. That’s why this family holiday was so important to him.”
The family had travelled from Luton Airport for the holiday, which had been arranged to mark Paul’s mother’s birthday on September 11.
Family woke to find Paul having a seizure
At around 5am, Paul’s mother woke to find him having a seizure and bleeding. His family believe he may have struck his head against a wall.
Kimberley said: “I woke up to my mum banging on my door at 5am because Paul had a seizure and had fallen and banged his head in the hotel room.
“He was covered in blood; it was in the hallway, we think he banged it on the wall. He was bleeding from his head and his nose and still having a fit.”
Paul was taken by ambulance to hospital and admitted to intensive care.
His family said doctors discovered a bleed on the brain and determined he required specialist treatment unavailable at the hospital.
He was subsequently airlifted to the University Hospital of Gran Canaria Dr Negrín.
Later that day, his family received an urgent call seeking permission for surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.
Kimberley said doctors warned the family that without the operation Paul would die.
The surgery was carried out that evening and, according to his family, was completed without complications. However, Paul remained heavily sedated and was placed in a medically induced coma amid concerns over his liver and kidneys.
Kimberley said: “Half his skull was removed on his right-hand side. He’s not quite out of the danger zone yet; a part of his brain is severely damaged.
“He’s not awake now; I’m devastated.”
Fundraiser launched to support family
Paul’s relatives say they have already spent more than £1,500 on flights and accommodation while remaining close to him.
Kimberley has launched a fundraiser which, at the time of the original report, had raised more than £4,000 towards the family’s costs while they remain in Gran Canaria.
The family said they were uncertain whether Paul had travel insurance or what his eventual medical costs could be.
Kimberley said: “We’re just in the unknown at the moment; all we’re worried about is saving his life and getting him better.”
