Mark Kilian sees his dying father at Gold Coast University Hospital for first time since landing in Australia 10 days ago

A son who was finally granted an exemption to visit his dying father in a Gold Coast hospital says it’s hard to describe his emotions. SEE THE PHOTOS >>>

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A SON who was finally granted an exemption to visit his dying father in a Gold Coast hospital says it’s hard to describe his emotions.

Mark Kilian and his wife Anneli Gericke – who had travelled from the United States to see him – were denied exemptions to come to Queensland four times despite testing negative to Covid-19 on multiple occasions.

Mark Kilian and his father Frans Kilian at Gold Coast University Hospital. Picture: Supplied

But the pair on Wednesday night were given the green light to visit his dad who was at Robina Hospital before being moved to Gold Coast University Hospital.

Mr Kilian and Ms Gericke flew into the Gold Coast on Thursday. They were escorted fully dressed in personal protective equipment to GCUH on Friday afternoon.

Speaking from a Gold Coast hotel on Friday evening where they remain in quarantine, Mr Kilian said seeing his father was surreal and wonderful.

“It feels completely surreal and completely wonderful on so many levels. It’s beautiful even, but at the same time, it’s all just very sad,” Mr Kilian said.

Mark Kilian with his father Frans Kilian, 80, at Gold Coast University Hospital. Picture: Supplied.

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“It’s the first time we’re seeing him in real life, it’s been on Facetime, it’s not easy but it was huge for us and for him too I think.

“I don’t even think we’ve had time to process it. There’s a lot involved in the logistics (to visit dad), it’s quite a performance.

“We have strict two hour visits. We have another one tomorrow, they won’t do it on Sunday, and then we’ll have one on Monday again and then of course we’ll be done with quarantine.”

Mr Kilian said his dad wanted to thank those who helped to make the visit possible.

Mark Kilian and his wife Anneli Gericke with Frans Kilian, 80, seeing each other for the first time since landing in Australia 10 days ago. Picture: Supplied.

“The lengths these folks are going to, to make these visits happen, from the nursing staff, to police and ambulance officers, they’re really going out of their way to make happen.

“The overwhelming feeling we all feel, and I know dad feels it too, is just gratitude.”

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