Couples From Wallsend Among Those Who Fell Ill At Four-Star Resort

Holidaymakers have instructed specialist lawyers to investigate after they fell ill during a holiday to Lanzarote.

A group of four travelled to the four-star Rio Playa Blanca resort for a week-long trip booked through tour operator TUI UK Limited.

During their stay all four of them were struck down with gastric symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps.

John and Joann Williams from Wallsend, North Tyneside, saw a pharmacist abroad and were given anti-sickness medication. They saw a GP on their return to the UK.  Fellow Wallsend couple Kazimierz and Nicola Kurowska also visited a GP once they got back home due to ongoing symptoms.

They’ve now instructed specialist international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate their illnesses.

Expert Opinion

“John and Joann, and Kazimierz and Nicola, travelled to the Rio Playa Blanca and were all thoroughly looking forward to their break.

“However, the first-hand account we’ve heard from them about the symptoms they suffered is concerning but what is most worrying is that this is not the first time we have helped holidaymakers returning from this hotel because we represented almost 100 holidaymakers, including over 50 children, who returned from this hotel in the summer of 2019 with serious bacterial illnesses such as salmonella and E.coli.

“Gastric illness is serious and can lead to long-term health issues. The effects of it should never be downplayed.

“Understandably, the couples have many questions over how they became sick and we’re now looking into those questions. If during the course of our investigations, any issues are identified, lessons need to be learned to help prevent these illnesses from becoming a regular feature for people staying at this hotel.

“If you also stayed at this resort and think that you can help with our enquiries into the issues faced by John, Joann, Kazimierz and Nicola, we would like to hear from you.” Sarita Sharma, International Serious Injury lawyer

The all-inclusive holiday took place between 25 December, 2022, and 1 January, this year.

Two days in, kitchen assistant Joann, 55, began suffering from vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, headaches and nausea. John, 56, who works as a chef, fell ill the next day.

Meanwhile, 56-year-old maintenance engineer Kazimierz began to suffer illness on 29 December, with Nicola, 41, an onboarding supervisor, falling ill two days later. They complained of diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps and sweating.

The pair called 111 on their return to the UK and were advised to go to the hospital. Kazimierz began to feel better on 3 January, with Nicola’s symptoms lasting until 14 January.

Nicola said “Whilst we were there, we all came down with food poisoning. The standards in the hotel were horrendous; they were putting new food on top of old food at the buffet and the food was only ever lukewarm at best.  There were cockroaches crawling on the food and birds flying around and landing on tables and food, and the water in our rooms was brown.

“We were there for seven days and at least one of us was poorly for five of the days. We complained to the TUI representative at the hotel, and they did nothing for us; only completed complaints forms. We went to see her twice.

“When we got home, we called 111 who advised us to go straight to hospital.  When we got to see the doctor they confirmed we were suffering from gastroenteritis, which really isn’t something you expect to pick up on holiday.”

John said: “We were all looking forward to escaping the hustle and bustle of daily life and getting away for Christmas and New Year, but within the first few days we became so unwell.

“It got so bad, that we just wanted to be back at home as we weren’t able to enjoy anything.  On our return, we went to see our GP.

“We’ve also heard of others that were ill.  I remember some of the food being served undercooked, cold and uncovered, and there were also cockroaches and bugs around it. The cutlery and plates were always dirty. It was just horrendous, I’ve never been ill like that in my life.

“While we can’t change what happened, we feel we deserve to know how it did.”

Kazimierz added: “When you stay a four-star resort, you don’t expect to fall ill

“Our festive break was ruined and our symptoms continued when we got back to the UK.  Nicola was still unwell almost two weeks later.

“We’d spent so long planning our trip, but we now wish we hadn’t bothered and just spent Christmas and New Year at home.  All we want now are some answers.”

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