Family-Of-Four Who Booked Holiday To Sinbad Aqua Park Hotel In Hurghada Struck Down By Illness

A London mum has instructed lawyers to investigate after her family were struck down with gastric illness during a holiday at a four-star resort in Egypt.

Trudi Law, travelled to the Sinbad Aqua Park Hotel in Hurghada, Egypt, with partner Fatmir Pashollari, and daughter and son Florianna and Lawrence Pahollaria. The two-week holiday was booked through tour operator Easy Jet.

During the holiday, the family from North London, fell ill with gastric symptoms, including vomiting, stomach pains and diarrhoea. Trudi, 54, went to the medical centre and was prescribed antibiotics for herself and also given anti-diarrhoea medication and rehydration salts for her and 13-year-old Florianna.

12-year-old diagnosed with Salmonella Heidelberg and life-threatening sepsis

The family continued to be ill on their return to the UK.  Lawrence, 12, was so ill, he was admitted to hospital, where he was diagnosed with Salmonella Heidelberg and life-threatening sepsis – which sees the body attack itself in response to an infection.

Lawrence spent 5 days in and out of hospital. Following his diagnosis, he received intravenous antibiotics. Once Lawrence was discharged from hospital, Trudi instructed expert international Serious Injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the family’s illness who have successfully represented thousands of holidaymakers who have fallen ill at holiday resorts across the world including some at the Sinbad Aqua Park over several years as far back as 2012.

Sarita Sharma is the specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family.

Expert Opinion

“The account we’ve heard from Trudi concerning the holiday and Lawrence’s ongoing illness is very concerning.

“The impact of gastric illness should never be downplayed. What has happened to Lawrence vividly highlights how dangerous it can be and how it can lead to life-threatening complications like sepsis.

“We’re now investigating the family’s concerns. While nothing can make up for their ordeal we’re at last determined to provide them with the answers they deserve and the ongoing support Lawrence requires.

“If during the course of our investigation any issues are identified, it’s vital that lessons are learned to improve standards for future holidaymakers. If you also stayed at this hotel and are able to help us with our enquiries we would like to hear from you.” Sarita Sharma

Holiday illness: the family’s story

The family holiday took place between 20 July and 3 August, 2023. On day four and five of the holiday, Trudi, an administrator and her daughter Florianna started to become unwell, with vomiting, stomach pains and diarrhoea. On day six of the holiday, Fatmir, an electrician also developed symptoms of gastric illness.

Three days after their return to the UK, Lawrence, fell ill with the same symptoms on 6 August. Lawrence became so ill, that he was taken to A&E following a GP consultation. Following tests Lawrence, was diagnosed with Salmonella Heidelberg and then Sepsis.  He was given intravenous antibiotics and fluids and spent 5 days back and forth to hospital, with one overnight stay. A further course of antibiotics was administered once Sepsis was diagnosed.

Trudi speaks of family’s terror when told Lawrence had sepsis

Trudi said: “We’d all been so looking forward to this holiday. When Florianna and I became ill it was awful. It’s never nice to see your children ill and it was hard to care for her when you’re sick yourself. It seemed as though the staff at reception did not care, they just directed me to the onsite private doctor.

“It seemed as though it might just be us but then Fatmir and Lawrence both came down with the same symptoms. It was clear pretty quickly that Lawrence was far more than just a tummy bug. It was so frightening, but we realised we had to get him to a hospital.

“We knew Lawrence was poorly but we were absolutely terrified when we were told he had sepsis. I was frantic and was struggling not to assume the very worst.

“We’re all just grateful we came out of this in one piece and given what happened to Lawrence, we know we’re lucky and it could have been worse.

“We weren’t happy with the state of the hotel from the start. Our original room was unclean, so we insisted we be moved. The next room was hardly better, and we should have known then to trust our first impressions and insist on moving to another hotel. The hygiene standards were very poor. That’s not a mistake I’ll make again.

“This isn’t the sort of experience you expect when you save up for a family holiday. We feel we deserve answers after what happened to us, to avoid any other person developing sepsis.”

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.