THE family of a decorated war hero who died from a heart attack on holiday are devastated after insurers refused to pay to fly his body home - because he failed to declare he suffered a mild angina attack 30 years ago.

Ronald Peters was a rear gunner in a Lancaster bomber during the war, one of the most dangerous roles in the RAF. He was involved with the Normandy landings campaign of 1944 and was later awarded the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross medal, one of the RAF's top honours.

Widower Ronald, from Bradshaw, Bolton, suffered a heart attack and died aged 88 during a holiday with four friends in Menorca. His grieving family however have been told that they must pay £6,000 to fly his body home because insurers Europ Assistance - affiliated to Monarch Airlines - say he 'failed to declare a pre-existing medical condition that was relevant to his cause of death'.

The cost involves airfare and organisation. Mr Peters' doctor however has now written to the company to confirm he was fit and healthy for his age - and told the family that anyone over the age of 80 is likely to have some sort of pre-existing condition.

His daughter Christine Flanigan and grandson Max Flanigan are now considering flying to Menorca to cremate him before flying home.

Max, who flew back to Bolton from his home in New Zealand, said today: "The insurance company has gone through picked hairs in this with a fine tooth comb. We feel that we have been badly let down.

"We have been told that it seems like a heart attack. That is what the insurance company have said and therefore it would be linked to his history.

"He had a mild angina attack but had no symptoms of it.

"We believe however that there has not even been an autopsy."

Max said the flights and insurance were booked online with Monarch Airlines by a friend of Ronald's from Bradshaw Conservative Club. Four friends from the club flew out to Spain for a week.

But Max said: "On the online site there isn't anywhere to declare anything.

Pre-existing condition

"The man who booked it was not aware of any pre-existing condition. He was not to know.

"Anyone at that age has some condition but the entire policy was unsuitable for anyone aged over 80. It was inappropriate cover and it should not have been issued.

"The insurers have wiped their hands of the whole issue. They have shown no leniency. At the end of the day we just want to get his body home."

Ronald died last week in the villa the friends were sharing.

In a statement, Europ Assistance, said: "Every policy Europ Assistance sells includes a comprehensive list of terms and conditions.

"It is very important that customers read these thoroughly and contact Europ Assistance if they have any queries.

"Whether Europ Assistance sells its policies over the phone, online, or through an intermediary it always highlights the importance of studying the terms and conditions carefully - this protects both the customer and the company.

"One of the requirements of the policy is that customers must declare their pre-existing medical condition. Unfortunately, Mr Peters failed to declare a pre-existing medical condition that was relevant to his cause of death.

"The family have advised us that Mr Peters had previously always declared his medical conditions and that in this instance the policy was purchased on his behalf by a third party and as a result, he did not make a declaration.

"It is vital that a new declaration is made for each new purchase of a travel insurance policy to ensure that the correct premium is generated according to the specific risk presented and the individual insurance policy.

"Coincidentally, as the family have stated, Mr Peters previously made a medical declaration to us as an insurer under another travel insurance scheme.

"We have located the declaration made three years ago, which also reveals that on this occasion Mr Peters chose not to pay the additional premium necessary to provide cover for the declared conditions.

"We do sympathise with the family of Mr Peters, however as an insurer we have a responsibility to all customers to collect the correct premium from them for the risk that they present." ends