Family battle to get Sarah home

TRAGEDY . . . Sarah died after her life-support machine was switched off with her sisters beside her

£30,000 bill fear after woman’s balcony-plunge tragedy

THE family of a woman who plunged to her death from a balcony in Singapore are facing a £30,000 bill to bring her body home.

Sarah Royle (31) a former pupil at Knowsley Primary School in Springhead, fell from a second-floor balcony on June 23 after celebrating England’s crucial 1-0 victory over Slovenia.

Her insurance company has not yet decided whether they will foot the bill for medical and repatriation costs and are investigating whether or not Sarah had drunk alcohol on the night she fell.

Sarah, who suffered a blood clot on the brain and broken bones, was on a life-support machine for five days. It was switched off on Sunday.

Sarah, who moved to Hebden Bridge 20 years ago after leaving her family home in Huddersfield Road, Scouthead, died with her sisters Johanna (35) and Premsa (32), who both attended Saddleworth School, by her side.

A police investigation has now been launched into Sarah’s death which could take up to six months.

Near-by residents discovered Sarah on the ground after hearing a bang and said they saw a young man who appeared drunk sitting next to her, but he ran away when police arrived.

Officers tracked the man down and he was examined for signs of a struggle but later released without charge. Police confirmed there was no third party involved in the fall.

It is thought Sarah, a keen photographer, climbed up to the balcony to take a picture of the moon.

Police found the camera Sarah was using on the night and are waiting for the film to be developed to see if the pictures shed any light on her last movements.

The British Embassy in Singapore have told Sarah’s family that her body will be held for seven days before a decision is made on whether she can be flown home.

Family friend Julia Curtis said £8,000 has been raised so far but total costs could be much higher.

She added: “The insurance company are still deciding whether or not they will pay so we are keeping our fingers crossed. If they won’t pay, there is no way we can afford to cover all the bills and the funeral costs.

“Sarah’s dad Brian died when she was a teenager and her mum Patricia passed away around eight years ago so her sisters are her next of kin.

“The money situation is extremely stressful for them on top of losing their beloved sister.

“If we can’t raise the money, Sarah will have to be cremated at the hospital in Singapore and her ashes flown home. All her friends and family want is to be able to say a proper and dignified goodbye.”