'I thought she was dead': Teen hit by paraglider on family holiday

A serious accident occurred during a family holiday in Turkey, leaving a British teenager, Lily Nichol, in a critical condition. The 15-year-old from Chester-le-Street in County Durham was enjoying a meal with her family when a paraglider unexpectedly crashed into her. This incident took place on the final day of their vacation in Oludeniz, a well-known resort town in southwest Turkey. Lily's mother, Lyndsey Logan, recounted the terrifying moment when the paraglider 'came from nowhere. ' As Lily was eating pizza at a restaurant with her mother and older sister, she suddenly collapsed to the floor, leaving her family in shock. Lyndsey described her panic, saying, 'I was just screaming, crying for help. I thought she was dead. ' After the accident, Lily was rushed to the hospital, where she is currently receiving treatment. She has suffered severe injuries, including a broken jaw, a split tongue, and multiple fractures in her spine. Doctors also informed her family that she had a bleed on the brain, but thankfully, a later scan showed no serious head injuries. The family is facing a significant financial burden as they did not purchase travel insurance for their trip. The medical expenses have already reached £7,200, which Lily's father has covered, but the upcoming surgeries for her back and jaw will cost an additional £45,000. Lyndsey expressed her concern about the financial strain, stating that they do not have the money for the surgeries. To help cover the costs, the family has set up an online fundraiser. Meanwhile, Lily's sister, Megan, who is 19 years old, was also knocked unconscious by the paraglider but fortunately did not sustain serious injuries. Lyndsey shared that both girls are traumatized by the incident, with Lily experiencing nightmares since the accident. The family is in contact with the British Embassy in Turkey, seeking assistance during this difficult time.