A father’s vacation turned into a terrifying ordeal when he experienced severe blood loss while relaxing by the pool.
Peter Beetham, aged 49, marked his victory over cancer following three years of chemotherapy by arranging a trip to Gran Canaria for a week with his partner Sharleene Hickman and a friend. Unfortunately, just two days into their £12,500 holiday, Peter’s health deteriorated rapidly. While lounging poolside, he suddenly began expelling a significant amount of blood before collapsing. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he was initially misdiagnosed with sunstroke and sent back.
The following day, as Peter continued to lose blood and felt unwell, he promptly booked a return flight home for £50 on March 15. Upon landing in Manchester, he sought immediate medical attention at Manchester Royal Infirmary, where he was diagnosed with internal bleeding.
Reports indicate that doctors discovered a ruptured ulcer in Peter’s bowel, likely a consequence of his past pancreatic surgery in August 2025. Peter, hailing from Winsford, Cheshire, recounted his harrowing experience, acknowledging that he narrowly escaped death both on the plane and by the pool. He underwent seven blood transfusions and a minor procedure, ultimately surviving the ordeal. Reflecting on the traumatic incident, Peter expressed gratitude for being alive, despite the holiday being effectively ruined.
Peter recounted undergoing multiple medical procedures to identify the source of the bleeding, emphasizing his fear and the toll the incident took on him. He remains on the path to recovery and anticipates additional medical interventions, including iron transfusions and scans. The ordeal has left Peter apprehensive about planning future vacations due to the trauma he endured.
Peter highlighted the necessity of further medical assessments and expressed reluctance towards embarking on another holiday in the future, given the traumatic experience he faced.
