Family Including Three Young Children All Suffer Gastric Illness Days into All-Inclusive Break At Pierre and Vacances Village Club Fuerteventura Origo Mare

A young mum, who suffered a miscarriage after falling ill on holiday, has instructed lawyers to investigate.

Chloe Proctor, from Preston, was struck down with gastric illness alongside her three young children during their holiday to Fuerteventura.

Mum taken to hospital and suffers a miscarriage

The 23-year-old, who was eight weeks pregnant, suffered a seizure and was taken to hospital.  Soon after doctors informed Chloe she had suffered a miscarriage, potentially as a result of her illness, she underwent emergency surgery.

Chloe said she was so poorly that she had to give up her own cleaning business and her ex-partner had to look after her. Chloe’s weight plummeted to just six stone amid continuing medical complications following her miscarriage.

Chloe has now instructed expert international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the family’s illness while staying at the four-star Pierre and Vacances Village Club Fuerteventura Origo Mare resort. The family booked the week-long, all-inclusive holiday, through tour operator On The Beach.

Jennifer Hodgson is the specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family.

Expert Opinion

“Chloe’s first-hand account of how the family were struck down with serious illness on holiday is very concerning.

“What was meant to be a memorable family holiday ended in such tragic circumstances.

“The last year and coming to terms with the physical and psychological impact of what the family have endured has been incredibly difficult. Understandably Chloe continues to have a number of concerns about how they fell ill.

“We’re now investigating these concerns, to provide the family with the answers they deserve. If during the course of our investigations any issues are identified, it’s vital that lessons are learned to reduce others in the future suffering like Chloe has.

“Chloe was aware that several other families fell ill at the resort at the same time she did, and as part of our investigations, we’d be interested in speaking to anyone else who was ill at this hotel as the same time.” Jennifer Hodgson

Holiday illness: Chloe’s story

Chloe, travelled to the Pierre and Vacances Village Club with her children, aged five; three and two on 14 June, 2023.    

Two days into their break, the family started to fall ill with symptoms including diarrhoea, sickness, stomach cramps and fever.

As Chloe’s condition worsened, she was taken to hospital on return home and given the news she had lost her baby.

Chloe commented on several things that concerned her at the resort, including undercooked food. The children’s section of the buffet didn’t appear was particularly concerning as there was food sitting there for long periods with overhead heating lights switched off and the dishes just left unattended.

She also became concerned about the strange taste of several of the drinks, which appeared to be watered down and ice cream that was runny and she said it was “more like a mousse”.

Chloe speaks out on devastating miscarriage

Chloe said: “I was committed to my new business and this holiday was meant to be a break away from it all. I was hoping to spend time together as a family. Instead, it turned into our worst nightmare, when we all started to be struck down like dominoes with illness.”

“It was devastating to be told I’d had a miscarriage. The doctors said my illness may have contributed to it. Hearing that was beyond awful. It’s something that I’ll always have to live with.

“I was still ill on returning home and had to see the GP and I have continued to be seen at hospital, as the miscarriage led to other medical complications. I was so weak that I couldn’t run the business anymore.

“I started to lose a lot of weight and when I reached six stone it became really frightening. I just feel so weak and tired all the time now. My ex-partner left his job to care for me and the children and I simply don’t know where that leaves me or what the future holds.  Following the miscarriage, I developed a pelvic infection and had a blood clot on my lung and near my heart, I was kept in hospital for a few days and placed on blood thinners. 

“This holiday has completely changed my life. I have lost my baby, my business which was just starting to take off and my health. I’m still facing ongoing complications that affect me every day.

“The very least I deserve is answers after what has happened to me and my family.”

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.