Swine flu: Schoolgirl fights for life in Greek hospital

Published on Thursday 30 July 2009 13:26

A SCOTTISH schoolgirl was fighting for life in a Greek hospital today after contracting swine flu while on holiday.

Natasha Newman, 16, a pupil at Gordonstoun public school in Elgin , is in a "critical but stable" condition in Athens after falling ill on the island of Cephalonia.

Her parents, Julian Newman and Nikki Boughton, are at her bedside at the Agia Sofia children's hospital in Athens, said a spokeswoman for her father's business, J Newman Textiles.

She added: "This is a very distressing and worrying time, our thoughts are with them."

Natasha, is believed to have developed a dangerously high temperature and severe breathing difficulties.

Dr Lina Sianidou, head of the intensive care unit at the Greek hospital, told London's Evening Standard that her condition had worsened as she had failed to seek help from authorities for eight days.

He told the paper: "There is no doubt that she is suffering from swine flu. She is in a critical condition and very much struggling.

"It is clear she had this new virus for at least eight days before she sought help and that has made her condition worse."