26 May 2023 , 18:13
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A British mum who thought she had heatstroke after collapsing in a Turkish airport has been declared clinically dead, her family have said in a devastating update.
Melissa Kinsella, known as Missy by loved ones, was nearing the end of a holiday with her partner Jay Smith, his family and three children, Chloe, nine, Beau, four, and Romi, two when she began to feel unwell.
The 30-year-old, from Moreton, Merseyside was due to fly home on Monday, May 15 but collapsed in the airport after suddenly suffering a seizure, causing her heart to stop.
The mum-of-three was rushed to hospital in Turkey and doctors told her family she had swelling on her brain and heart.
Melissa Kinsella in hospital (Rebecca Gath / SWNS)Melissa was flown back to the UK from Turkey via air ambulance on May 24, thanks to a GoFundMe campaign to pay for her care because she was uninsured.
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However, today, her devastated mum, Michelle Heathcote, posted an update on Facebook to say Melissa had been declared clinically dead.
She said: "Our hearts are broken forever after 12 days of fighting for our beautiful daughter's life test proves she is clinically dead. We have no words to express how we feel but thank everyone who helped us in any way to bring her home."
In an update earlier this week her family said Melissa had been showing positive signs of some recovery, LiverpoolEcho reports.
The 30-year-old's mum said: "So a little positive news this morning, when her pop's spoke she moved again and a tear rolled down her eye. Doctors said there is more brain activity today and just needs to bring herself out of a coma. Still critical but definitely positive today.
The mum-of-three was rushed to hospital in Turkey and doctors told her family she had swelling on her brain and heart (Rebecca Gath / SWNS)
Melissa was flown back to the UK from Turkey via air ambulance on May 24 (Handout)"She definitely can hear us."
The GoFundMe was launched by Melissa's friend Rebecca Dath after Melissa was first admitted to the hospital. It had a target of £45,000 but has now raised more than £50,000.
Rebecca said Melissa had complained on social media the day before she collapsed that she thought she may be suffering from heatstroke.
She told the ECHO: "She was vomiting, felt unwell and that was the day before. When she got to the airport, she had a seizure and collapsed. That's been it since, she has been in intensive care on life support in Turkey."
Rebecca added: "Doctors don't know what has caused it, but she has swelling on the brain and swelling on her heart.
"Missy's mum and dad were holidaying in Turkey in another area with Missy's auntie and uncles and cousins. Jay rang her auntie because her heart stopped and her children were there."
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