Liverpool Couple On Honeymoon Among Those Affected

More than 130 holidaymakers, including over 50 children, who fell seriously ill at the five-star Rixos Sungate resort in Antalya, Turkey, have instructed specialist lawyers to investigate.

Those affected include a Liverpool couple, Terry and Sarah Hawkins, who were celebrating their honeymoon.  They travelled to Antalya with their two children in May this year. Their break was booked through tour operator TUI UK Limited.

The pair fell ill with gastric symptoms on the second day of their trip, complaining of diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and sweats.  By the end of the following day, Sarah was on an intravenous (IV) drip and the couple had to cut their holiday short by three days.

Following their return to the UK, Terry, 35, and Sarah, 32, are still unwell.  Along with many holidaymakers, they have now instructed specialist international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how they fell ill and take legal action on their behalf.

It comes after Liam Garnett from Manchester spoke out on suffering similar symptoms in April this year.  He had travelled to the Rixos Sungate resort with his partner Gabrielle and two children, who also fell ill.  Liam ended up needing medical treatment, including an IV drip. On his return home Liam had a sample taken, which tested positive for the bacterial infection salmonella.

Expert Opinion

“We’ve now been contacted by more than 130 people who have suffered serious gastric illness while holidaying at the Rixos Sungate in Turkey, which is very worrying. What’s deeply concerning is that many of those affected are children and there are several cases of salmonella which is particularly dangerous for the most vulnerable such as children and the elderly.

“Terry and Sarah are among those who have instructed us and it’s horrible to hear the first-hand account of the ordeal they went through, particularly as they had booked the holiday to celebrate their honeymoon.

“Instead, the whole break turned into a nightmare and the pair understandably want answers as to how they became so unwell at a five-star resort.

“We’re now looking into it, and if during the course of our investigations any issues are identified, it’s vital that lessons are learned to prevent others from falling ill in the future.

“We would be interested in speaking to anyone who may have been impacted by illness at this hotel who would be able to assist with our investigations.” Jatinder Paul, International Serious Injury lawyer

Graphic designer Terry and his wife Sarah, who is currently on maternity leave, arrived at the Rixos Sungate on 29 May, with their children, Ashton, 11, and seven-month-old Imogen.

The following morning, Sarah started to feel unwell with diarrhoea, stomach cramps, sweats and vomiting.  She became dehydrated and struggled to breast-feed Imogen.

By that evening, Terry was suffering similar symptoms and also began passing blood.

Soon after they fell ill, the pair were visited by a doctor at the resort.  They were given antibiotics and Sarah was put on an IV drip.

Due to their illness and concerns over their children falling ill, the family returned to the UK three days early on 6 June.  Terry and Sarah saw a GP and samples were taken.

Terry said: “We’d spent a long time researching where to honeymoon and we were so excited as it got closer.  We were particularly looking forward to celebrating with our children on our first big family holiday at what was supposed to be a luxury hotel.

“But early in to the holiday, Sarah became really unwell, which was really worrying as she was still breast feeding.  Then that same evening I fell ill.  It got so bad that Sarah ended up on an IV drip, which was terrifying especially for the kids to see.

“It felt like we were stuck in our hotel room for most of our stay, which was awful, and we were so worried that the kids would get it, we ended up flying home early.

“We’re still not well, and so angry and upset at what we’ve been through.  I also had to have time off work as I was so unwell, and I still have not fully recovered.

“It’s scary to hear how many other people have been unwell.  There were times when the food was visibly undercooked, which really isn’t something you would expect from a resort like this.

“All we want now are some answers.  Our honeymoon was completed ruined and it’s the least we deserve.”

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