### Mum in Critical Condition After Tragic Tenerife Holiday Accident
A family holiday in Tenerife turned into a heartbreaking ordeal for Dublin mum Emma Hickey, who now remains in intensive care after a fall at her hotel left her with devastating injuries. The 42-year-old carer was in the Canary Islands with her partner, Stephen, and their two children when the incident occurred, resulting in life-altering consequences and mounting worries for her loved ones.
Emma’s ordeal began when she set off towards a local pharmacy, hoping to find some relief for severe mosquito bites she’d received during her stay in Costa Adeje. It was during this ordinary errand that tragedy struck. According to her partner Stephen, Emma began to feel unwell and dizzy, ultimately collapsing without warning on the hotel’s concrete staircase. Falling headfirst, she suffered grave injuries, including a brain haemorrhage and fractures to her neck.
Describing the disturbing scene, Stephen recounted the horror of witnessing the accident. “Emma just collapsed on the second last step and tumbled onto the lower stairs—she didn’t even have time to put her hands out to protect herself,” he recalled. “She immediately lost consciousness and began convulsing. It was such a shocking, traumatic thing to see, and one I can never unsee. No words can describe how terrifying it was to watch.”
Hospital scans quickly revealed the severity of Emma’s condition. Neurosurgeons performed surgery to relieve the pressure caused by blood clots on her brain. Further investigation uncovered multiple fractures in her neck, prompting doctors to place her into a medically-induced coma, where she currently remains in an intensive care unit.
Stephen and the couple’s children, Sophie, 13, and Bobby, 7, are now stranded in Tenerife as Emma fights for her life. On top of their emotional anguish, the family faces an unclear future, especially in terms of spiralling medical costs and insurance uncertainty. Stephen, who is self-employed, shared his concerns: “Though we have travel insurance, we’re still jumping through hoops to verify what, if anything, is covered under our policy. The hospital care alone is over $1,400 per day, and we still have to provide for ourselves and the children while we’re here.”
The family have since turned to the public for help, launching an online fundraiser to cover living expenses and the anticipated lengthy hospitalisation. The response so far, Stephen says, has been ‘overwhelming and incredible’, with friends, family and strangers rallying in support. “We’re grateful beyond words,” he remarked. “This process is going to be long and difficult, and we have no idea yet how long we’ll need to stay in Tenerife before Emma is stable enough to return home.”
He further emphasised the necessity of comprehensive travel insurance, explaining: “If there’s one thing other families should take from this nightmare, it’s that good travel insurance is absolutely essential. Without it, hospitals abroad can do very little, and you’re left in a terrible predicament.”
The Hickey family is united in their determination not to leave Emma’s side. “We need to be here for her every step of the way. Leaving or returning home without her is simply unimaginable,” Stephen stated, highlighting the emotional and logistical challenges they continue to face.
Emma’s story is a powerful reminder of how quickly life can change, and the importance of adequate preparation for travel. For now, her family keeps watch at her bedside, hoping for signs of improvement, and awaiting the day when they can finally bring her home to safety.