THE heartbroken widow of a Greenock man who died on holiday in Tenerife this week fears she could face a bill running into thousands of pounds as a result of his death.

Dad-of-seven Andy Haxton, 53, died on August 12 after suffering a cardiac arrest in hospital, the day after he was due to board a flight back to Glasgow. 

On Wednesday, his devastated wife Annmarie told the Telegraph how she had to sleep on the street outside the hospital the morning after Andy died as she couldn't check into a hotel.

She is now being supported by her brother and her sister-in-law as she tries to navigate the complex process of transporting her husband's body back to Inverclyde. 

Annmarie's insurers say they will cover the cost of bringing Andy's body home - but have warned that she may not be covered for any associated expenses.

A fundraiser set up by Annmarie's nephew, Michael McDiarmid, has already raised more than £3,000 to help the family. 

Annmarie, 42, said Andy 'felt within himself' that his life was nearing its end when they were on the Spanish island. 

She said: "Through the whole holiday he said he felt something wasn't right.

"It was in his mind that he was going to die soon.

"I am still in total shock. It hasn't kicked in yet. 

"I think I will feel it properly when I'm back home."

Annmarie and Andy travelled to Tenerife for a week-long break with three of the five children they share, and with Annmarie's nephew. 

It was their first visit to the island and they had been having great fun in the sun before Andy took ill at the airport on Sunday night. 

Annmarie said: "Andy did have a bad heart, and had a defibrillator fitted. 

"He was knackered with the heat, and was really breathless when he was walking, so I asked for a wheelchair for him. 

"I pushed him right up to the gate and when he stood up out of the wheelchair he was told he needed a 'fit to fly' note."

The couple's children and Annmarie's nephew had to get on the plane themselves and leave Andy and Annmarie in Spain. 

Annmarie and Andy Hoxton had gone on holiday to Tenerife with family. (Image: Annmarie Haxton)
Andy and Annmarie booked into another hotel for the night and visited a doctor the next day to try, without success, to get a note saying he was fit to fly home.

The couple returned to Tenerife South airport on August 12 to book their return flight, but Andy collapsed before the couple had confirmed their route home. 

Annmarie added: "He fell on the floor shaking as his defibrillator had kicked in. 

"That brought him back for a bit, and he was taken to hospital."

Andy suffered another cardiac arrest in hospital and passed away at around 11pm on Monday. 

Annmarie waited with Andy until his body was taken away at 3am on Tuesday. 

She said: "I couldn't go back to the hotel at that time, so I had to stay on the streets. 

"I was walking about with a suitcase full of Andy's clothes. 

"At about 6am someone noticed me sleeping outside and took me into the hospital, and they gave me a hospital bed. 

"I was back outside the hospital from 7am to 2pm on Tuesday and I managed to get checked into a hotel after that."

Annmarie is now in touch with her insurers, Rush Insurance, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to get her husband home. 

She added: "I've spent a lot of money and don't have much left.

"My brother covered the £1,428 medical bill, and I've had to book more hotels and taxis."

Rush Insurance's parent company, Allianz Partners, say they will meet the cost of bringing Andy's body back home but that depending on the exact details of the policy, associated expenses may not be covered.

Andy and Annmarie had been together for 22 years and married for two. 

The couple share children Jason, Shane, Ryan, Angel, and Colby, and Andy has two sons, Andrew and Liam, from a previous relationship. 

Annmarie said Andy loved his darts and going out with his pals, and was a great family man and a fantastic dad. 

She said she is 'so grateful' to everyone who has donated to her nephew's GoFundMe page to raise an incredible £3,000 in less than 48 hours. 

The team at FUNdraising Inverclyde have also pledged money. 

Annmarie added: "It's amazing. 

"I could have Andy cremated here and bring his ashes back but I don't want to have to do that.

"I want to be able to give him the funeral he deserves back home."

Annmarie's nephew Michael said: "I want to say thank you so much to everyone who has donated. 

"We're so happy that there are people out there who can help. Everyone is chipping in and we all really appreciated it.

"My uncle was a cracking guy to talk to and would always do stuff for other people. 

"He'll really be missed."

An FCDO spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities."

A spokesperson for Allianz Partners, Rush Insurance's parent company, said: "In cases like these, ensuring a dignified and respectful repatriation is our top priority – hence our swift action to ensure that Allianz Partners would cover the repatriation costs, irrespective of policy cover."

To donate to Michael's fundraiser, visit www.gofundme.com/f/get-uncle-andy-home-xx.