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A British holidaymaker died from suspected blood poisoning days after his insurers refused to fly him home for life-saving treatment.

Michael Doyle, 29, took out travel insurance for a holiday to Sunny Beach in Bulgaria - but the policy did not cover being airlifted home.

His devastated mother Mandy tried to get him flown back to the UK but claimed his insurance company failed to help.

She desperately tried to raise the £22,000 needed to airlift her son home but he died on Saturday.

Michael, from Swindon, Wilts, flew to the Bulgarian beach resort with two friends on July 24. He fell ill four days into the sunshine break after complaining of abdominal pains and was admitted to hospital.

Michael, a shop worker, underwent six emergency operations in a bid to save his life. Mandy, 51, set up a JustGiving campaign to raise money after failing to get help from his insurers.

Speaking before his death, she said: “The insurers are refusing to pay and won’t talk to us. Medical flights cost £22,000 to £40,000.

“I don’t think his body can take much more. I worry that if he doesn’t get flown home he will not pull through.”

(Image: Getty)

Mandy took out a loan to be at her son’s bedside in Bulgaria and was with him when he died.

His distraught pal Vince Conti said: “His organs gave up. I believed he would be all right. Up until two days ago he was settled.

“He was in a critical condition and kept going hot and cold but he was settled and talking and had colour in his cheeks.

“But last night we got to a call to come up and we knew he wasn’t good.

“When I saw him we went in and we knew, it was like a concrete block had been thrown in my face.

“He had the dialysis and his kidneys just shut down. They spent 35 minutes trying to bring him back.

“His mum and dad are completely devastated. Even the doctor was crying.”

The £3,200 raised on the JustGiving page so far will now be used to repatriate Michael’s body. Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/BringMichaelhome