A British family's relaxing Turkish getaway descended into chaos and hospital visits after they found themselves unexpectedly imprisoned within their own hotel complex after dark.
The nightmare began at the five-star Aska Lara Resort & Spa in Antalya when Rebecca and Steven Broadley, along with their two teenage children, returned from an evening out to discover all access points to their accommodation block sealed shut.
Desperate Measures After Hours
"We tried every door, every possible way in, but everything was locked tight," recounted Rebecca. "Security guards were nowhere to be found, and we were left stranded with our two tired teenagers."
After exhausting all conventional options and growing increasingly desperate, the family made the fateful decision to scale the 6-foot security fence surrounding their accommodation block.
A Costly Climb
The daring escape attempt ended in disaster when 46-year-old Steven lost his grip during the descent, plummeting to the concrete below and suffering severe injuries.
"The sound of him hitting the ground was sickening," Rebecca recalled. "He immediately knew something was seriously wrong."
Medical Emergency in Foreign Land
Steven was rushed to a local hospital where doctors diagnosed multiple spinal fractures and significant nerve damage. The injuries were so severe that medical professionals warned he might never work again in his physically demanding trade.
The family's ordeal was compounded by mounting medical bills and the emotional trauma of the incident, turning their dream holiday into what Rebecca describes as "the worst experience of our lives."
Hotel Response and Ongoing Battle
Despite the clear safety failure, the Broadley family claims the hotel management has shown little sympathy or responsibility for the incident.
"They've offered us a free week's stay by way of apology," Rebecca stated incredulously. "After what we've been through, the last thing we want is to return to that place."
The family is now pursuing legal action against the tour operator while facing an uncertain recovery journey back in the UK.
Important Travel Reminders
- Always familiarise yourself with hotel emergency procedures and after-hours access
- Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance covering medical emergencies
- Keep emergency contact numbers for your tour operator readily available
- Report safety concerns to hotel management immediately
