Peter Beetham, a 49-year-old father from Winsford, Cheshire, was on a week-long all-inclusive holiday to Gran Canaria with his partner Sharleene Hickman and a friend to celebrate beating cancer after three years of chemotherapy. On the second day, he began 'spewing a litre of blood' while relaxing poolside and collapsed on his way to the toilet.
Hospital discharge and return home
Hotel staff called an ambulance, but hospital medics discharged him, diagnosing sunstroke. The following day, after 'losing constant blood' on the toilet, he booked a £50 flight back to Manchester on March 15. He went straight to Manchester Royal Infirmary, where doctors found internal bleeding from an 'exploded' ulcer in his bowel, linked to surgery to remove his pancreas in August 2025.
Life-threatening condition
Peter was told he could have died by the pool or on the flight. He underwent seven blood transfusions and an operation, spending 18 days in hospital. He said: 'I went [on holiday] with my partner and my friend because I had just beaten cancer. I was six months clear from cancer and I thought I would go away for a week.' He added: 'I was sitting there drinking water and felt a bit sick. Then I spewed up a litre of blood from my mouth. I went to the toilet and took three steps and collapsed.'
Recovery and fear of travel
Peter is now recovering but requires further iron transfusions and scans. He said: 'I'm very lucky to be alive. It ruined the holiday. As soon as I started spewing blood I went white, my lips went crystal clear, I thought I was going to die on the side of the pool.' He added: 'I'm too scared to plan another holiday.'
