Couple Fall Ill With Salmonella On Holiday In Tunisia

Tunisia Holiday Illness

01/02/2008

A couple from Merton in South West London are considering are considering legal action against their tour operator Thomas Cook Tour Operations Limited after their holiday in Hammamet, Tunisia was ruined when they both fell ill with severe gastric illness.

Angela Burstow and Gary Liddle, both aged 35 travelled to the all inclusive Dar Khayam Hotel, in Hammamet in October 2007.

Ms Burstow and Mr Liddle, who are planning their wedding in 2008, had decided to go on holiday to make up for the disappointment of having their offer to purchase their first home fall through.

However, within days of arriving at the hotel, they were struck down with severe gastric illness, with symptoms including diarrhoea, vomiting and severe stomach cramps.

On returning to the UK Ms Burstow, who continues to suffer symptoms of her illness, went to see her GP who carried out tests which confirmed she had Salmonella.

Angela said: "Gary and I were so poorly; we could not eat anything but dried bread."

"My symptoms were so bad that I had to stay in bed and was unable to enjoy the all inclusive facilities which we were very much looking forward to."

She continued: "We had booked two day-trips which we had to cancel because of the illness we were suffering. I am very upset about the illness which I suffered because I had gone on holiday to make up for losing out on buying our first home. I feel as though our money which we spent on our holiday was a waste.

Jenny Brooks, Lawyer in the Travel Law Team at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors said:

"This is a particularly unfortunate case where our clients had gone away to make up for the disappointment of their house falling through, only to be faced with a further distress when their holiday was ruined. It is very rare that just a few people are ill when Salmonella is involved, and our clients believe there were other people affected at the hotel."