pneumonia in paris-Bill Clark's $43K medical scare

From Northern Lights to Hospital Lights

What began as a dream European holiday quickly turned into a medical emergency for 73-year-old Bill Clark and his wife Jane, from New South Wales. The couple had packed their itinerary with scenic destinations and catch-ups with friends — but partway through the whirlwind trip, Bill’s health took a worrying turn.  

While initially feeling unwell in Norway, Bill pushed on, hoping it would pass. But by the time he reached Wales, UK, things only got worse.  

“I started throwing up and I just thought, this is not normal.”  

Having somehow made it to his next stop in Saariselka, Finland, Bill’s condition declined even more.  

“I slept all night sitting up in a lounge chair with a blanket wrapped around me while Jane took lovely pictures of all the fantastic Northern Lights. The next day I couldn't move.” 

After visiting a medical centre in Finland, Bill was cleared to fly on to Zurich and then Paris, where he finally checked himself into hospital. Several tests and x-rays revealed a serious bacterial pneumonia, which Bill describes as “a mass bacteria spread right across both lungs.”  

“By that stage I hadn’t eaten in a week,” Bill said. “At one stage I was vomiting up black. I lost seven kilos in one week.”  

‘I was scared’  

Upon arriving to hospital, Bill admits he felt exhausted and ‘scared’ over his condition.  

However, after just one night of treatment, he began to recover.   

“They (the doctor’s) put something in my arm and I don't know what it was but the next morning I was able to eat some breakfast. That solved all the gastro problems.”  

Bill says that despite his horrible ordeal, he is grateful for the swift support and treatment he was given.  

"It wasn't a great experience having to spend time in hospital in Paris," Bill said. "But it is comforting to know that your insurance company is willing to look after you in an efficient manner during this time."  

Making it home  

Despite responding well to antibiotics, Bill was still required to spend a full week in hospital, and his wife Jane had to arrange additional accommodation to remain by his side during the ordeal.  

After being discharged, the pair began their journey home, with Bill noting he was pleasantly surprised by the level of care and assistance they received both in-flight and at the airports in Paris and Bangkok.  

“We had special assistance so there were people with wheelchairs waiting in Paris which was fantastic, not a drama.  We then got to Bangkok and there was a guy waiting for us with a wheelchair who was really friendly and put us into the business lounge.”   

Bill also notes his appreciation to 1Cover getting him back home. 

“Once the ball started rolling, everything fell into place very quickly to get us back here. We were very, very grateful for that.”  

A full bill of cover   

The Clark’s total insurance claim — covering medical expenses, accommodation, and other related costs — amounted to more than $43,000.  

Bill notes that while he had purchased travel insurance from 1Cover before, he’d never needed to make a claim. That changed on his trip — and the experience has now cemented his confidence in the importance of being covered.  

“It now gives me a lot of confidence to continue to purchase from 1Cover knowing that there is a great system in place in case I ever run into difficulties again.”  

‘Get in touch’  

Chief Operation Officer for 1Cover, Natalie Ball, says that travellers should get in touch with their insurer at the first sign of severe illness.  

 “While it’s hard to put a halt to your trip plans, we would always recommend you seek medical support if you’re seriously ill, particularly if your symptoms seem to be worsening. This is also the time you should be getting in touch with your travel insurer, as they can offer round-the-clock support and advice when you need it most. Getting sick while travelling is never ideal, but your health should always come first — and your travel insurer is there to support you.”  

With thousands of Australians flocking to Europe for the northern hemisphere summer, Bill offers a word of advice: don’t leave home without adequate cover.  

 “Anything can happen, even when you're feeling fit and healthy. Travel insurance gives you peace of mind – especially when you're far from home.”