Posted by on September 01, 2005 at 17:26:34:
A British scuba diver who is facing costs of about £20,000 after suffering decompression sickness while on holiday in Egypt is well enough to return home. Anthony Allen, 68, from Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, has had treatment since he got the condition known as the bends on 8 August. Insurers Lloyds TSB said it would not pay his medical bills as he went below the 30-metres allowed on his policy. His son, Mark, said Mr Allen was now much more positive about his plight. Savings 'spent' He added: "He's feeling a bit better about things, because he's going to be able to come home and he's got something to work towards. "He's been asked to pay directly so basically his life savings are now spent. "(For) anything that hasn't (been) met we're going to arrange a loan to make sure that we can cover anything that's not already been covered." Lloyds TSB insurance had earlier said the tour company which Mr Allen was diving with confirmed he reached a depth of 49.5 metres immediately before seeking medical assistance. It added that doctors treating him said his illness was directly related to him participating in a dive to that depth.
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