A woman has triumphed in her battle to get her sick aunt, stranded thousands of miles away, home.

Sian Crossland, of Dover, had put out an emotional plea for help on a crowdfunding page after insurers reportedly refused to pay for Heather Maskells' treatment and travel home.

But now, following publicity stemming from Mrs Crossland's page, they have changed their minds and agreed to pay.

Mrs Maskell would have otherwise been stuck with a £135,000 bill that she could never afford.

The GoFundMe page, set up last Friday, had by today only raised at £2,488, 1.8% of the total needed.

Mrs Crossland told KentOnline: "We have received news that they have now overturned the decision and are paying for my auntie to come home."

Ms Maskell, 63, of East Sussex, was on holiday with her partner Ray Lewry in Cancun, Mexico, when she was taken ill on September 12.

Her chest became congested and she couldn't breathe unaided.

She was rushed to hospital from the city's Hard Rock in Hotel and there diagnosed with a bacterial chest infection.

Because of this she was put into an induced coma and onto a ventilator as she couldn't breathe by herself.

She finally woke up on September 25 and is now weak and recovering from her infection slowly.

He medical insurance company allowed funding for treatment on September 12.

But on September 27 it withdrew the authorisation saying she had not declared medication issued in 2017 for asthma.

The money was specifically for treatment and transportation home.

Mrs Crossland's GoFundMe appeal had said: : "My auntie is retired and she does not have this kind of money available.

"Please help us to pay for her medical costs and for the transport to get her home as they have said she may be able to come home next week but by medical evacuation air ambulance only.

"She is not allowed to take a normal flight and won’t be able to for some time."

Mrs Crossland desperately said that even £5 donations were steps forward.

Her plea attracted national media coverage yesterday.

Mrs Crossland says she is not sure why the insurers changed heart but believes the initial publicity helped with the awareness and fundraising.

Barclays Bank originally sold the insurance, working in a partnership with the company CEGA who make practical arrangements, like repatriation, after a claim.

But the insurers, saying yes or no to a claim, are Aviva.

A Barclays spokesman confirmed to KentOnline today :"We are pleased to hear the insurance provider have upheld Mrs Maskell’s claim. We hope Mrs Maskell continues to receives the care that she needs at this time and is repatriated as soon as medically possible.”

A spokesman for Aviva said today: "We can confirm that a decision has been made to pay this claim and the customer’s family has been informed.

"Due to customer confidentiality we are unable to comment further on this case.

"However our thoughts are with Mrs Maskell and her family at this difficult time and we wish her well in her recovery."

Read more: All the latest news from Dover