Families From Exeter, Norwich and Kent Among Group To Instruct Lawyers Following ‘Holiday From Hell’

A growing group of British holidaymakers struck down with severe gastric illness while on holiday in Turkey have asked lawyers to investigate.

Specialist international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have, so far, been instructed by 15 tourists, who fell ill with severe sickness and diarrhoea during their stays at the four-star Holiday Village Hotel in Sarigerme, Turkey.

The group includes a mum and her two young children from Exeter who were so ill, they had to visit a clinic and were placed on intravenous drips. A family-of-five from Norwich, were also treated by the on-site hotel doctor. Their four-year-old son was put on a drip, but the family could not afford this treatment for mum, as their insurance did not cover the procedure in the hotel’s clinic.

Another self-employed man from Kent was visited by the on-site doctor twice and was later admitted to hospital in the UK, where he was diagnosed with salmonella, a potentially fatal bacterial pathogen which can be caused by substandard health and hygiene standards. He complained of excrement and vomit in the hotel pool.

All of the holidaymakers booked their trips through tour operator TUI and were staying at the Holiday Village Hotel in Sarigerme on various dates from 10 to 22 May, 2024, and 30 August to 6 September, 2024.

On returning to the UK, the group have each instructed expert international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate their illnesses. The specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have vast experience in securing justice for holidaymakers who have suffered injury or illness abroad and this case marks just the latest occasion that they have been contacted for help regarding the Holiday Village Turkey resort.

Jatinder Paul, is the expert international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the group:

Expert Opinion

“The first-hand accounts we’ve heard from the families regarding their holidays at this hotel in Turkey are deeply disturbing, particularly given the significant history of claims over the last 15 or so years. Worryingly, the latest reports of illness and substandard hygiene at the hotel appears to show history repeating itself once again.

“Gastric illnesses, particularly bacterial infections such as Salmonella, can lead to very serious long-term health complications and their impact should never be downplayed.

“While it’s too late for these families, understandably they still want answers on how they all came to fall so ill. We’re committed to providing them with the answers they deserve.

“If during the course of our investigations any issues are identified, action must be taken to ensure other holidaymakers don’t continue to have the same experiences in future.

“As part of our investigations, we’d be interested in hearing from other guests who fell ill while staying at the same hotel as this group.” Jatinder Paul

Exeter and Norwich Families Fall Ill At Holiday Village Turkey

Melissa Davidson and Paige Pottinger, both aged 32, decided to take their families on holiday together after becoming friends when they met on holiday in 2022. The families paid £6,000.00 in total.

Melissa, an NHS worker from Exeter, travelled to Turkey with her two children, Logan, 13, and six-year-old Bella, on 10 May. Three days into the holiday, the family began to fall ill with severe sickness and diarrhoea.

Melissa fell ill on 13 May and was ill for several days, followed by daughter Bella on the 14 and Logan on 15 May. All were so unwell, they had to visit a local clinic and pay for IV drips.

The five members of the Pottinger family from Norwich, also travelled to the notorious Holiday Village Hotel on 10 May.

The family was struck down with sickness and diarrhoea within days of each other. Seven-year-old Oakley fell ill first on 13 May, followed by Dad Michael, 41 and brother Roman, three, on 15 May.

Noah, four, fell ill on 16 May, with mum Paige. Both got the worst of the symptoms and Noah was so ill the doctor on site treated him and he was placed on an IV drip. It was suggested Paige needed this treatment too, but their travel insurance didn’t cover the costs of the hotel clinic.

The rest of the family began to recover after several days, but Paige remained ill and consulted her GP in the UK on 4 June, with severe stomach pain. Tests came back clear but Paige was forced to take a few days off work until her symptoms began to improve.

The families have reported that the hotel complex looked in a poor state of repair, with dirty upholstery and a general lack of cleaning. They added new food poured on top of existing food in the buffet areas, without rotation, and that the food was commonly left out for long periods of time.

Melissa speaks out over shock at seeing children become so sick

Melissa said: “This trip was one Paige and I had been planning for a while. We were really looking forward to getting our families together for a fun time abroad and I still can’t believe the way things turned out.

“I’ve never felt so ill and it was shocking to see all the children become so sick as well. You feel so helpless in that situation and you just naturally begin to think terrible thoughts.

“I was just glad for all of us to get home.  It all could have been much, worse.

“Now safely home, Paige and I want answers about what happened to us and our families. I’m sure other people were sick too and I think we need to hear what is being done to prevent this happening to other families in the future.”

Paige joins Melissa in calling for answers

Paige added: “We’d been planning this trip for some time and to bring our families together for one big joint holiday. It was supposed to be a great time for us all to catch up and for the kids to have a fun time together. This trip cost us a lot of time to organise, not to mention the cost and none of us expected to have the holiday from hell in return.

“All of us were so ill, but myself and Noah seemed to get the worst of it. It’s awful to see your children so ill, and to try and comfort them when they’re being placed on drips is heartbreaking. Not least when you’re so ill yourself.

“Nothing can make up for what we all went through, but given the numbers of people who were ill, we deserve some answers and assurances.”

Sidcup man instructs lawyers to investigate

Ryan Charlesworth, 39, a self-employed Carpenter from Sidcup, Kent travelled to the Holiday Village Turkey with his wife Toni, 36 on 30 August for a week-long stay. They £2,782.00.

On 3 September, Ryan started to experience symptoms including shivering, high temperature and headaches and aches and pains. This developed into severe diarrhoea, with blood in his poo and delirium. Ryan consulted with the in-resort doctor.

Ryan admitted to hospital on returning to the UK

Ryan’s condition didn’t improve on returning to the UK and he was admitted to hospital. He was diagnosed with gastroenteritis, which doctors believe was as a result of salmonella.

Doctors advised Ryan that his liver and kidneys were also inflamed and that he wouldn’t be able to be prescribed antibiotics. Ryan has only just returned to work and started eating normally again.

Ryan reflects on wondering if he’d make it through

Ryan, who heard reports from hotel staff, that there was poo and vomit in the hotel swimming pool, said: “This was meant to be our annual relaxing break in the sun. By the end of it, I started to wonder if I’d make it through.

“This is the worst illness I’ve experienced and when Toni saw how ill I was in resort, the doctor was called in twice. I’m told I was delirious at that point and all I remember was the sickness and the pain.

“I was determined to make it home and somehow survived the flight but I knew I was far from right

“I know I’m not the only person to have fallen ill at this hotel and we understand several others were sick earlier in the year. If there were issues that were known about I feel we had a right to be warned in advance.”

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.