British Grandmother Fatally Struck by Drunk Driver During Turkish Holiday
The husband of a beloved British grandmother has spoken for the first time about the tragic death of his wife, who was killed by an allegedly drunk driver while on holiday in Turkey. Lisa Di Palma, 61, from Hornchurch in East London, was fatally struck as she attempted to cross a dual carriageway while walking to dinner during a three-week break in Fethiye.
Harrowing Details of the Incident Emerge at Inquest
An inquest at Walthamstow Coroner's Court heard last week that Lisa's husband, Keith Di Palma, 57, described how a speeding motorist "came from nowhere" and narrowly missed him but hit his wife "full on." Keith detailed in an emotional statement that he jumped out of the way, with the car brushing his back, but Lisa, who was slightly behind him, had no chance to avoid the vehicle.
The driver struck her with such force that she was pushed approximately five to six metres in front of the car. Despite being conscious initially, Lisa suffered severe injuries, including blood coming from her head. Keith attempted to confront the driver, who refused to exit the vehicle and even began driving forward towards Lisa while she lay on the ground.
With the help of two Turkish bystanders, Keith managed to lift the car as another man pulled the driver out. Lisa was then rushed to A&E at a local state hospital before being transferred to Mugla University Hospital, a two-hour drive away.
Severe Injuries and Tragic Hospital Course
Medical reports revealed that Lisa sustained catastrophic injuries, including pelvic and hip fractures, shoulder fractures, skull fractures, twelve broken ribs, a slight bleed in the lungs, a slight bleed on the brain, signs of kidney failure, and a burn on her leg from where the vehicle had been driven over her. After initial X-rays and a CT scan, she was transferred to Letoon private hospital for an operation.
Doctors indicated that she would need to rest until August 13 before a second operation. However, on August 11, Keith and their eldest daughter Danielle, who had flown to Turkey, noticed Lisa appeared bloated. Medical staff attributed this to a blocked bowel being treated.
Tragically, the next morning, the family received an urgent call to rush to the hospital. They discovered Lisa's heart had stopped, and doctors had performed CPR for 10 minutes before placing her in an induced coma. At 5 a.m. on August 13, another call summoned them back, and despite an hour of further CPR, Lisa passed away.
Driver's Alcohol Level and Legal Proceedings
The inquest heard evidence from a Turkish road traffic collision report stating the driver had a blood alcohol level of 2.14 milligrams per millilitre, which is over four times the Turkish legal limit of 0.5. The report also noted there were "no signs of braking or tyre marks" from the vehicle before or after the impact.
Lisa's medical cause of death was recorded as multiple injuries due to a road traffic collision. The driver, Senay Koparal, is facing a criminal trial in Turkey later this year.
Family Criticises Hospital's Handling of Death
Speaking after the hearing, Keith Di Palma expressed profound distress over the way the Turkish hospital handled the final moments with his wife. He described the experience as "discompassionate," noting that the family was initially barred from seeing Lisa in the ward.
"We were asked if we wanted to say our goodbyes in front of my two daughters, which was so distressing," Keith said. "They wheeled her out in a body bag, literally in front of her two children, unzipped it, and let us see her. I gave her a little kiss, and to that day, that was the last time I saw her."
He added that when Lisa's body was flown back to the UK, the coroner's office advised the family not to view it due to its poor condition, stating she hadn't been properly looked after.
Legacy and Family Tributes
Keith revealed that Lisa, a grandmother-of-four who worked in grassroots football, had recently lost over six stone in weight and was the "most confident" she had ever been. "She gave her life and soul to looking after her grandchildren and continuing with grassroots football, getting more involved," he said.
In the wake of her death, the family has established the Lisa Di Palma Foundation to help underprivileged children participate in sports. A fundraising page on GoFundMe has already garnered more than £23,000 in donations. Keith emphasised Lisa's charitable nature, stating, "Lisa was always about giving and not taking. She'd make sure the football club was the cheapest so anyone could attend. If anyone was struggling, she'd either pay herself or bend over backwards so that child could get involved."
The family has also faced challenges with Turkish media, as a video of the crash went viral in the country, leading to unwanted attention. The Mirror has reached out to Letoon private hospital for comment on the allegations regarding Lisa's care.
