British expat suffers cardiac arrest in Dubai cab, dies in hospital

Dubai - She was on her way to visit a friend.

A 30-year-old British tourist who was described as a "beautiful, witty, charming girl" suffered a cardiac arrest in a Dubai cab, before passing away at a nearby hospital on October 29.
According to a Just Giving Page set up by her friend, Megan Boyes, mental health nurse Charlotte Carter was about to embark on a girls' holiday before falling ill on the flight over to Dubai.
"Sadly, she fell ill on the flight, which resulted in her being taken to intensive care once arriving in Dubai. After being resuscitated multiple times she, unfortunately, couldn't be saved," the post read.
Originally from Swansea in Wales, Carter was on her way to visit Dubai-based friend, Kate George.
"I don't even know what to write. My best friend came on holiday to see me and went into cardiac arrest in the taxi on the way to my house. Understandably excited and looking forward to her Dubai holiday. She completely (forgot) about insurance," a Facebook post from George read.
Before being taken ill on the plane, George said Carter was "on the flight, messaging me saying she can't wait to see me and planning our week, she was absolutely fine".
Because Carter didn't take out insurance prior to her overseas trip, friends have now set up a Just Giving page to try and help fund her repatriation back to the UK.
So far, 773 supporters have helped raise £20,828 (approx. Dh100,000).
"We want to help raise money, as like many young people do, Charlotte didn't take out travel insurance, which means the medical bills and repatriation costs will be very high. We (want) to help Charlotte's family with expensive Dubai medical bills, funeral costs and to help bring her home to the UK," Boyes wrote.
After starting the crowdfunding page five days ago on November 1, the original target was £10,000 but it has since been upped to £30,000 (approx. Dh145,000).
"We have changed the target to £30,000. Recently we have found out this is how much it will cost to bring her back. If we do end up raising more money than needed, all extra money will be donated to a mental health charity close to Charlotte's heart."
In a statement, the British Embassy confirmed that it was "supporting the family of a British woman following her death in the UAE. We are in contact with the Emirati authorities."
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Charlotte's heartbroken mother, Susan Carter, said the British Embassy has given them huge support following her daughter's tragic death, as have her friends and work colleagues.

"I still think our beautiful, clever, kind daughter has just forgotten to phone to let us know she's safe. She was fit and healthy. She went to the gym and ate well. Her friends said she was absolutely fine on the plane and just felt a bit sick and dizzy when they landed, but when they got in the taxi she became very unwell. They diverted the taxi to the hospital and we haven't even thought about the medical bill. We don't know what the costs will be, that's just another massive worry that we can't think about yet. We can only think about getting her home at the moment. That's all there is.

"This is truly unbearable. Our only child. She was larger than life and when people asked how many children we had I said only the one, she was enough. Our lives have changed forever. We lived for Charlotte. She was our reason for being."
kelly@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai