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'Relief' as man who fell ill abroad flown home

The Journal

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July 23, 2025

A NORTHUMBERLAND man who fell severely ill on holiday has finally made it back to the UK.

- DANIEL HALL

'Relief' as man who fell ill abroad flown home

Ian Wright took ill when visiting friends in Cyprus with his wife Sarah in May.

He was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis with necrosis soon after being admitted to a medical centre in Tala, near Paphos.

The 47-year-old was transferred to Nicosia General Hospital on Friday, May 30, where he spent over a month on dialysis, a ventilator and multi-organ support.

As Ian had not declared he had seen medics about high blood pressure and high uric acid in the UK, he was not entitled to a payout on his travel insurance.

But on Thursday, July 11, Ian was finally able to fly back to the North East after his family and friends raised more than £40,000 to pay for a private jet with a doctor and nurse on board.

Now, Ian is now receiving care at the Freeman Hospital in Heaton, with his mum Monica Muckle, 67, describing his condition as stable.

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