The family of an Angus girl found unconscious during a family holiday in Spain have thanked supporters here and abroad for helping them as they pray for her recovery.
Arbroath girl Cally Simpson was found last Tuesday at the bottom of a swimming pool in the holiday resort of Salou, where she was with her father Steven and his mother.
Mr Simpson and Cally’s mother Kate Miller have been heartened by news that their little girl’s brain is responding to tests in the Barcelona children’s hospital where they have kept vigil for seven days.
Hopes that the girl was starting to regain consciousness on Sunday were overstated due to the language barrier between staff and the family.
However, the hospital has now been able to confirm increased brain activity. The news follows a cardiologist’s update that Cally’s heart health showed signs of improvement.
Steven wrote on the Facebook page Saving Cally Simpson: “Her brain is starting to respond to tests but she could possibly wake up and not know who we are or not be able to walk or talk due to the lack of oxygen (during the pool incident). “It’s very difficult to get someone who speaks good English and explain everything properly to us.”
That comment prompted a series of offers of help from expats in the area.
A family member responded: “Thankyou very much to all the people offering to translate for us. It’s much appreciated.”
Cally had been on her first foreign holiday when she fell ill at the Villa Marina resort.
After emergency treatment, she was rushed to a children’s hospital in Barcelona.
The accident sparked a desperate struggle for Cally’s mum to get to Spain, with her efforts to rush to her daughter’s side blocked by a French air traffic controllers’ strike.
The Foreign Office confirmed they were providing consular assistance to family.
A spokesman said: “We are aware of an incident involving a British national in Spain. We are providing consular assistance.”
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