A DEVOTED couple are at their daughter's bedside in Dubai after the stress of a crucial court appeal resulted in her being put into a drug-induced coma.
Natalie Creane, 34, who was struck by a loose wardrobe panel in an Abu Dhabi hotel in 2008, has a "major infection" following epileptic seizures.
Three years ago, she and her family, which includes parents Angie and Derick Smith of Cold Norton, first appeared in court to fight for justice for Mrs Creane.
In February, the Emirates Palace Hotel, Kempinski group of hotels and the hotel's insurance company ADNIC were all found guilty of "gross negligence" over the incident.
Yet Mrs Creane was paid just £36,000 in compensation, despite her medical bills reaching £250,000 and her loss of earnings as an HR director, amounting to £500,000.
On April 17, the family returned to court to launch their appeal for sufficient compensation and the case was adjourned until next Tuesday.
Yet Mrs Creane's health went downhill last week, as it did following the February 27 case, and she is currently bed-ridden.
In a joint statement from Dubai, the family said: "Since Natalie has deteriorated so much, even more medical reports and documents will be submitted on top of the hundreds already handed over.
"Natalie has had a very bad week this week. Her health is still deteriorating, sadly. She is exhausted and has been bed-ridden most of the week."
They added that on the weekend, she was "particularly bad."
After the April 17 court appeal, which the family did not attend to save Mrs Creane the stressful journey from her Dubai home to the Abu Dhabi court, mum Mrs Smith, 63, said she respected the court's decision.
She said: "Winning the case against these defendants was only the first step. Now comes the fight for Natalie's future and for her life – losing this fight means she could lose both.
"We must have faith that we will win the fight and we will stop at nothing to achieve that.
"What happened to Natalie could have happened to anyone and still could, we cannot in good conscience allow that to happen.
"The world needs to know about Natalie's desperate fight for justice and they will – she has suffered too much for too long. There are no more excuses."
In 2008, Mrs Creane, who moved to Dubai ten years ago, was enjoying a £150-a-night holiday with her fiancé, and now husband, Trevor.
While unpacking, she was struck by a 2.2kg panel when it fell from an 11ft wardrobe.
Mrs Creane was immediately sick and lost consciousness.
She now suffers from post-traumatic epilepsy.
Following the February 27 guilty verdict, the family were paid just £35 in legal costs as well as the £36,000 compensation, which would not even cover one of Mrs Creane's treatments.
