A Tragic Incident in Playa del Carmen

A Calgary woman is facing an unimaginable struggle to return home after her husband passed away while diving in Mexico, leaving her stranded and grappling with unexpected financial burdens. The tragic incident occurred on December 20, when 56-year-old Glenn Boyd died while diving with his wife, Christine, in the popular tourist destination of Playa del Carmen.

Desperate Attempts to Save

According to Christine, Glenn began to show signs of distress as they were surfacing from the dive. Despite her desperate attempts to assist him along with a dive instructor, Glenn could not be revived. "I could tell he was struggling to breathe when we were going up, and we just couldn't get him out of the water in time," Christine lamented through tears.

Challenges with Mexican Authorities

The couple had embarked on their trip to Mexico on December 15, with plans to return back to Canada on December 27. Since Glenn’s untimely death, Christine has encountered numerous obstacles with Mexican authorities in her efforts to obtain a death certificate and arrange for Glenn’s remains to be returned to Calgary. "Payment has been put through and I'm still sitting here," she expressed her frustration.

Financial Struggles

Christine has already spent a staggering $6,500 on cremation and related costs, but she is yet to receive the necessary documents to initiate her journey home. Her financial woes have been compounded by the complications surrounding Glenn's credit provider, which has barred her from accessing his card posthumously.

Community Support

In a bid to assist her mother during this heartbreaking time, Christine's daughter, Meagan Grabst, launched a GoFundMe campaign. The fundraiser has thus far raised over $16,500 to cover Christine’s unexpected expenses, encompassing hotel accommodation, transportation, and the cost of memorial services in Calgary. “It’s just been one expense after another, and trying to really keep up with that and get mom home,” Meagan shared. She expressed her disappointment and frustration with the lack of empathy from travel companies when she broke the grim news about her father's passing.

Calls for Compassion

Christine is now urging travel companies to adopt a more compassionate approach in similar circumstances. "I would hate to guess what other people go through, and I would hope that nobody has to go through this again," she emphasized passionately.

Travel Company Response

Following inquiries from media outlets, Expedia, which facilitated the couple’s travel plans, confirmed they will reimburse Christine for her return trip. A spokesperson from Expedia extended their condolences, stating, "Our deepest sympathies go out to the Boyd family during this time." They mentioned that while WestJet's policy typically requires bereavement fares to be arranged directly with the airline, in light of the circumstances, they would also assist in coordinating Christine’s return flight back to Calgary without additional costs once she obtains the death certificate.

Conclusion

Christine's heart-wrenching story sheds light on the complexities and emotional battles faced by those who suffer loss while traveling and serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for greater sensitivity from travel providers during such distressing times.