The family of a holidaymaker stranded in a Mexican hospital are desperately trying to raise money after he was hit with a $40k medical bill. 

John Wilkinson, 74, is currently stranded in a Mexican hospital which his family say will not release him until his family pay $40,0000 in medical bills.

John, from Hartlepool, was taken into intensive care and treated for pneumonia after he suddenly became ill at the airport while on his way back to America where he and his wife Rosalind had been visiting their son.

Due to a problem with John’s travel insurance, his family have been left to foot the bill.

A crowdfunder has already raised thousands for the well-known man, from the Burbank area of town.

John’s granddaughter Paige Milligan said: “He is stuck in the hospital and they won’t let him out until he pays $40,000.

"My grandparents were due home this coming Thursday. They only had a week of their holiday left.

"Everybody wants just to get them back home. We are all truly devastated and feel lost – it’s unimaginable how they both feel right now”

John and Rosalind have been staying with their son John Terry Wilkinson and his girlfriend Tanya for over two months in Austin, Texas.

John (right) with wife Rosalind and son John on route to Mexico.John (right) with wife Rosalind and son John on route to Mexico. (Image: GOFFY MEDIA)

They all took a short trip over the border to Mexico but John fell ill on their last day in the country.

John Jnr said on the fundraising page: “We thought he was having some sort of attack. The paramedics came and he was transported via ambulance to a local hospital.

"His insurance is not able to cover his treatment due to a coverage problem. We are just desperate to have him go home.”

John has been in the hospital since Tuesday, July 16, and has been moved out of ICU onto a general ward after making a speedy recovery. 

Paige said he and Rosalind are well known in town and have many friends, including at the Belle Vue social club, Hartlepool

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She said: “We have had hundreds and hundreds of calls and messages. They have helped literally hundreds of people over the years with charity work and support.

“Now everybody is just shocked and heartbroken that this has happened to them – they are the loveliest of people too.”

She called the instant response so far to the fundraising page “ truly amazing and touching”.

Anyone who wants to help can donate at the page ‘Help John bring Dad home’ at gofundme.com.