A dream family holiday to Tenerife turned into a nightmare for a British family when their 73-year-old grandfather suffered a fatal suspected heart attack, with relatives claiming crucial medical delays may have contributed to the tragedy.
Family's Holiday Nightmare Unfolds
The devastating incident occurred at the popular H10 Atlantic Sunset hotel in Costa Adeje, where Michael Tonge from Stoke-on-Trent was enjoying a much-anticipated break with his family. What should have been a joyful escape quickly descended into horror when the retired businessman suddenly collapsed.
His distraught daughter, Kelly, recounted the terrifying moments: "We were having a normal evening when my dad suddenly said he felt unwell and collapsed. We immediately called for help, but what followed was a series of delays that may have cost him his life."
Alleged Medical Response Delays
The family claims that despite their urgent calls for assistance, the response was alarmingly slow. According to Kelly, it took approximately 30 minutes for a doctor to arrive at the scene, and even longer for an ambulance to transport her father to hospital.
"When medical help finally arrived, they spent what felt like an eternity trying to resuscitate him at the hotel rather than rushing him to proper medical facilities," she explained. "Every minute counted, and we believe those delays were crucial."
Hospital Efforts and Tragic Outcome
Despite eventually being transferred to Hospiten Sur hospital, medical professionals were unable to save Michael. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, leaving his family shattered and seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Michael's wife, who witnessed the entire traumatic event, has been left particularly devastated by the loss of her husband of many years.
Family Demands Investigation
The grieving family is now calling for a thorough investigation into the emergency response procedures at the popular tourist resort. They question whether faster medical intervention could have changed the tragic outcome.
"We want to ensure that no other family has to go through what we've experienced," Kelly stated. "There needs to be proper protocols in place for medical emergencies at these large holiday resorts."
Tourist Safety Concerns
This tragic incident raises important questions about medical emergency preparedness at popular tourist destinations. With millions of British tourists visiting Tenerife annually, adequate emergency response systems are crucial for visitor safety.
The family has been working with both the British Foreign Office and Spanish authorities to navigate the complex process of repatriating Michael's body back to the UK.
