Norfolk Production Engineer And Chesterfield Customer Service Advisor Among More Than 500 People Reportedly Affected By Illness

Festival goers struck down with suspected food poisoning at a rock music event have instructed specialist public health lawyers to investigate.

Daniel Fitzsimmons, from Attleborough, Norfolk, and James Grange, from Chesterfield, attended Download Festival at Castle Donnington in June.

Both men, who were with separate parties, fell ill with gastric symptoms after eating food at the event, and had to return home early.

Public Health lawyers investigate after event organiser shut down two food stands

They’ve now instructed specialist public health lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate. The law firm is instructed in various high-profile outbreaks over recent months including the recent fatal e-coli outbreak across England.

It comes after event organiser, Live Nation, reportedly shut down two food vendors during the festival after the emergence of “a pattern” of gastric illness among festival goers, with more than 500 people said to affected.  There were also reports of others going home early or being confined to their tents, added to by the muddy conditions.

Jatinder Paul is a specialist public health lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Daniel and James.

Expert Opinion

“The reports we’ve heard of the problems at Download Festival, and the first-hand accounts from Daniel, James and others, are deeply concerning, and to hear that the organisers closed down two food stands indicates the scale of the issue.

“It’s been further reported that more than 500 people attending the festival have been affected by illness. The scale of the problem is concerning and really not something you’d expect from such a high profile event.

“Gastric illness is serious and the impact of it should never be downplayed. In some cases, it can lead to long-term health complications.

“Live Nation has confirmed it’s now investigating the outbreak and it’s vital that if any issues are identified, lessons are learned to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again. We’d also like to speak to anyone affected to help with our own enquiries.” Jatinder Paul

Norfolk: Daniel's story

On his first day at the festival, Daniel ate a pulled pork Yorkshire pudding from one of the food stands at the event.  By the next day, Daniel, 27, began suffering gastric symptoms including diarrhoea and nausea.

Due to falling ill, Daniel returned home from the three-day event a day early and contacted his GP for advice.

More than three weeks on, Daniel, who attended the festival with his partner, continues to suffer from a “bad stomach” and has ongoing diarrhoea.

He’s also struggled with work as a production engineer due to urgency.

Daniel said: “I’d been looking forward to Download for a while, as my favourite band Limp Bizkit were performing.

“Sadly, however, I didn’t get to see them as I fell ill the first day after eating a pulled pork Yorkshire pudding.  It was covered in mashed potato and gravy, and while it wasn’t great or very hot, I didn’t really think much of it at the time.

“It was only when others started complaining of being unwell that I began thinking it could be the food.

“The festival really didn’t give off the best impression anyway, due to all the mud and overflowing toilets, but to then become sick was the final straw for me and I left early.

“I’m still not right and I feel like everyone that’s suffered deserve some answers, at least to help prevent it happening again in the future.”

Chesterfield: James' story

During his first day at the event, James, 28, ate a burger from one of the food vendors. Just over 48 hours afterwards, he fell ill with vomiting, diarrhoea and urgency.

He asked his dad to pick him up from the festival two days early and called NHS 111 for advice on his return home.

James’ symptoms continued for several days and he’s still suffering from ongoing diarrhoea and nausea.  He also feels light-headed.

James, a customer service advisor, said: “I’m not usually one to get sick and I think I have quite a robust stomach.  But shortly after eating at Download, I was very unwell.

“The burger I had did taste a bit off and was only lukewarm, but I didn’t really link it all together until I heard of everyone else falling ill.

“I suspect the whole situation was made worse by the disgusting state of the toilets – which I complained about - and the fact that the hand sanitiser ran out and wasn’t replaced.

“The hygiene in general was very poor at this year’s festival, which I feel is unacceptable for such a large event.  It’s really worrying how many people were affected and something needs to be done to stop it happening again.”

Help and support for those affected

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