Turkey heart attack victim Douglas McKendrick flies back to Scotland

Douglas (63), a Wanderers committee man for 40 years, was fighting for his life having collapsed on a beach in the southern Mediterranean resort of Side on Friday, September 8.

He spent 11 days in intensive care in a private Turkish hospital before being flown to Glasgow Airport on Tuesday with son Douglas Jnr and then admitted to Wishaw General Hospital. Family and friends are now praying that Douglas recovers amid fears that he may have suffered brain damage.

“This has been a horrendous shock,” said Dougie’s other son Colin, who also flew out to Turkey to support his mum, Dougie Snr’s wife Lynn.

“It has been a total nightmare and a real rollercoaster of emotions.

“My dad was taking ages to return to the hotel from the beach on that Friday morning so my mum went looking for him but couldn’t find him.

“She eventually saw an ambulance and went in when she twigged it was to get my dad.

“His heart stopped in the ambulance before he was resuscitated after 45 minutes. So there may be problems with a lack of oxygen and blood going to his brain.

“A Turkish guy found my dad on the beach. I think he saved my dad’s life by phoning the ambulance.”

Lynn, Douglas Jnr and Colin have been worried sick ever since the Forth Wanderers stalwart's collapse. The three family members were deeply concerned about Douglas's life threatening condition and healthcare and flight costs totalling a whopping £110,000.

But, after days of uncertainty, at least the insurance company has finally agreed to cover those fees and Douglas has returned to Scotland.

The McKendrick family are also very grateful to all who supported an online appeal launched by local man Stewart Barrett, which has so far raised a fantastic £8500 to help with Douglas’s plight.