A British tourist claims he is stranded in Turkey after being arrested for appearing intoxicated during a severe asthma attack. Carl Ratcliffe, 47, and his fiancée Natalia Flynn, 49, traveled to the luxurious Susona Hotel in Bodrum for what was meant to be an eight-day vacation on June 10. However, their trip turned into a nightmarish experience.
Only two days into their stay, Carl, who suffers from a life-threatening form of asthma, was suddenly hit by a severe attack while out for an evening walk. He was quickly rushed to Bodrum American Hospital where he was put into a medically induced coma and woke up three days later.
While awaiting a medical clearance to fly back home, Carl experienced another asthma episode on June 23 after watching a football match. Despite fellow vacationers calling for an ambulance, Turkish authorities allegedly mistook his condition for drunkenness and detained him.
Carl claims he was taken into custody and faced threats of violence if he did not comply with police demands. Despite later tests confirming he had no alcohol in his system, he was initially prevented from leaving the country by a judge.
As a result of the ordeal, Carl has been stuck in Turkey for over a month, accumulating significant debts due to expenses for accommodation, legal fees, living costs, and mortgage payments back in the UK. Reflecting on the situation, Carl expressed his frustration and fear, emphasizing the potentially life-threatening nature of his experiences.
The saga unfolded after a brief period of enjoyment following Carl’s initial recovery, during which he proposed to Natalia. However, complications arose as they waited for travel clearance, leading to the unfortunate series of events that have left Carl stranded in a foreign country.
Despite efforts to explain his medical condition to authorities, Carl found himself detained in a police cell, enduring distressing conditions until his release. His family, including his mother, has been distraught by the treatment he received and remains hopeful for his safe return.
The British Foreign Office has acknowledged the situation and assured support for Carl in dealing with the local authorities. Efforts to obtain comments from the Bodrum Police and Bodrum American Hospital regarding the incident are ongoing.
For those interested in assisting Carl during this challenging time, a crowdfunding initiative has been set up to provide financial aid.