Woman From Brighton And Woman From Bournemouth Admitted To Hospital With Gastroenteritis Among Those To Fall Ill

Holidaymakers who form part of a larger wedding party of 24 have instructed lawyers to investigate after a number of them were struck down with gastric illness during a family wedding at a five-star hotel in Cyprus.

The party stayed at the TUI Blue Sensatori Atlantica Aphrodite Hills Hotel, in Kouklia, near Paphos.

They include Charlotte Warner, 29 from Brighton who remained ill on returning to the UK; while another 31-year-old woman from Bournemouth missed her flight home after being admitted to hospital in Cyprus and was diagnosed with bacterial gastroenteritis.

The wedding party all booked their holiday through tour operator TUI.

A further five people also fell ill at the hotel at the same time, including other family members and friends who were also part of the wedding party.

They have now instructed specialist international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how they fell ill. Confirmed diagnoses include gastroenteritis.

Jatinder Paul is the specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the group.

Expert Opinion

“Our clients were all looking forward to a family wedding at a luxury hotel that was ruined when some of them were struck down with gastroenteritis at the end of their stay.

“The impact of these illnesses should never be downplayed, as there can be serious longer-term health implications.

“Understandably our clients have many questions on how they fell so ill. We’re now investigating their cases to secure the answers they deserve.

“If any issues are identified during our investigations, it’s important that lessons are learned to prevent other holidaymakers having similar experiences in the future.

“We understand that several other people at the hotel fell ill at the same time they did. As part of our investigations, we’d be keen to hear from anyone else who was staying at this hotel at the same time.” Jatinder Paul

Struck down with illness: Brighton woman Charlotte Warner’s story

Charlotte Warner, 29 and her partner Paul Richard, 40 flew to Cyprus on 11 October, 2023, for the wedding.

The couple had concerns about standard of food standard during their two-week stay. Charlotte, from Saltdean, Brighton, was struck down with vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pains, fever and headaches on 25 October – the day they were due to fly home.

Charlotte and Paul made it to the airport, where they informed TUI of her illness. Charlotte managed to make it through the customs checks before she collapsed. She was so ill, she was provided with a wheelchair. The couple were keen to return home and boarded the return flight.

On returning to the UK, Charlotte consulted her GP, who said the illness was likely gastroenteritis and would have to run its course. She was unable to eat for several days and couldn’t look after the couple’s seven-month-old son, Oscar. A student and mother, Charlotte was unable to work on her dissertation and Paul was forced to take time off work to care for both Charlotte and their baby.

Charlotte, said she saw food being left uncovered at the buffet and the same dishes being served on more than one occasion. New food was added to old and food often appeared visibly undercooked or mouldy, she said.

They also commented among themselves on the number of flies and birds in the restaurant area and the numbers of wild cats that seemed to be everywhere, including on the tables.

Charlotte said: “The whole family had been looking forward to going away for the wedding and thankfully the big day itself passed off without a hitch.

“We’d all expressed concerns about the standard of food and hygiene at the hotel especially for a five-star hotel. We’d heard of others being ill, but we’d all seemed okay until the day we were due to come home.

“I’ve never been so ill, but we knew we had to make it to the airport somehow. We didn’t know what we’d have done otherwise, particularly with our young son to care for.

“I was still ill days later and my GP said there wasn’t much to be done but keep hydrated. I literally couldn’t do anything for myself, I was completely floored.”

Bacterial gastroenteritis leads to Bournemouth woman being admitted to hospital abroad

A marketing manager, 31 from Bournemouth, and her husband, 32 also travelled to the hotel on 11 October for two weeks.

The woman, who does not wish to be named, made it to the airport but she was being violently sick so was taken to hospital and missed her flight.

Medical tests confirmed a diagnosis of bacterial gastroenteritis.

The woman was admitted to hospital and had to spend two nights in another hotel in Cyprus before she was fit enough to fly home with her husband on 27 October.

The woman said: “We’d really been looking forward to this trip, for the family wedding and as a chance for a two-week break in the sun with family and friends at a five-star hotel. It seemed a perfect combination but those last few days mean this is one holiday I’ll remember for the wrong reasons.

“When I got to the airport, I knew they wouldn’t let me on the flight, but by that point I was so ill that didn’t matter anymore. I was so scared and when the ambulance arrived, I feared the worst.

“It took weeks before I started to feel myself again. It cost £1,800 in medical expenses too but at least I’m here to tell the tale.

“I shudder to think what would happen if someone older or a child experienced what I did.

“Nothing can make up for what happened but the least I deserve is answers.”

Find out more about our expertise in supporting people affected by serious illness on holiday at our dedicated illness abroad section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.