A grieving mother has flown to Turkey to identify the body of her son after his sudden death at the age of 34.
Andy Eveleigh had gone to Turkey for a holiday at the Lake & River Side Hotel in Side, Antalya.
Alerted by his worried mother Elaine after he failed to call her as promised, hotel staff went to check on him on Tuesday – his first morning there – and found him dead in his room.
Now his shocked and devastated friends and family, including brother Shaun, are trying to come to terms with their loss.
And they are raising funds to give Andrew “the best send-off”.
Kelly Goscinski has launched a crowdfunder to raise money for his funeral.
“Andy was my best mate from being toddlers. I went to primary and secondary with him, he was my bestie,” Kelly told YorkMix.
“He had arrived in Turkey on Monday. He was in contact with his mum the whole time.
“He went to the hotel and by morning Elaine hadn’t heard anything so she contacted the hotel to ask them to check on Andy and that’s when they found him unresponsive on the bed.”
Andy, a former Huntington School pupil, lived with Elaine in New Earswick. Elaine thanked her friend Angela Donahue for being so supportive during such a difficult time.
Andy wasn’t working due to ill health. “He suffered with swollen legs, a bad back and was getting tested for sleep apnea,” said Kelly.
“He went to Turkey for a holiday on his own just to get away and relax and have some time to himself. He was so excited to go.”
Andy’s mother wonders if he could have suffered a blood clot caused by travelling on the plane. But she is waiting for the results of his autopsy.
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“His mum Elaine had to fly out to Turkey on Sunday to identify Andy,” Kelly said. “We are hoping insurance can bring him home as there only so many days we get or he will get a local burial there which obviously we don’t want.”
She started the fundraiser “as Elaine is struggling with funds to manage everything. And I know from losses I’ve had that funerals aren’t cheap.
“I just wanted to help as much as I can and give Andy the best send off.”
Kelly paid a heartfelt tribute to her best friend. “Andy was the most kind loveable guy and he was so funny – he always had me I stitches.
“I only spoke to him the other week and he was going to come see me. He was loved by so many people.”
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