A father has shared a cautionary tale for travelers following the tragic death of his son alongside his two sons during a flight to Bulgaria. Chris Neill, aged 40, was traveling with his sons Reece, 20, and Archie, 9, from Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport to Burgas on September 16 last year when he suddenly became unwell on the plane. Chris’ parents, Mal and Lesley, initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for repatriating his body to the UK.
The fundraising effort exceeded expectations, gathering nearly £10,000 surpassing the £15,000 target. On the anniversary of Chris’ passing, Mal disclosed that the funds covered the repatriation and funeral costs, with the surplus allocated to a trust fund for the two boys.
The following day, Mal traveled to Germany to bring Reece and Archie back to the UK safely, while staying in Cologne to handle the necessary formalities. Mal emphasized that Chris thought he had travel insurance through his previous bank, Halifax, but was unaware that the new account lacked this coverage.
Mal now urges people to ensure they have adequate travel insurance before embarking on trips, stressing the importance of verifying insurance coverage to avoid any unforeseen setbacks. Additionally, he highlighted the value of the GoFundMe contributions in facilitating Chris’ repatriation and providing financial support for his sons’ future.
Despite facing terminal cancer and residing in Bromborough, Merseyside, Mal shared how Reece, his girlfriend, and friends climbed Snowden in memory of Chris. He also expressed gratitude towards Rachael-Victoria Leyland, the paramedic who attempted to save Chris on the flight, noting the lasting bond formed with her and other medical personnel.
Rachael-Victoria recounted the harrowing experience on Facebook, detailing her efforts to aid Chris during the flight and the subsequent events leading to his passing. Mal fondly remembered his son as a devoted Everton fan who cherished his children and radiated a vibrant and helpful personality, leaving a positive impact on everyone around him.