

Widow Instructs Lawyers To Investigate After She And Husband Struck Down By Illness During Holiday To Occidental Jandia Playa Resort
A British dad has died and his wife left seriously injured after being struck down by salmonella on holiday in the Canary Islands.
Leslie Green, from Little Lever, Bolton, fell ill during the second week of his holiday at the Occidental Jandia Playa resort in Fuerteventura. He was admitted to hospital due to his condition worsening, but developed complications, including sepsis and kidney failure. He died in hospital abroad around four weeks after falling ill.
Leslie’s wife of 38 years, Julie, fell ill a week after the start of her husband’s illness – her 60th birthday. She spent one week in hospital.
Leslie Green's wife Julie asks lawyers to investigate salmonella holiday illness
She has now instructed specialist international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate and secure answers.
The couple’s holiday costing more than £2,300 and booked to celebrate their 70th and 60th birthdays, was booked through Jet2 Holidays.
A British woman who fell ill while staying at the resort around the same time as Leslie and Julie has also asked Irwin Mitchell to investigate after she was diagnosed with salmonella.
Jennifer Hodgson is the expert international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Julie.
Expert Opinion
“This is an extremely worrying case with the first-hand accounts we’ve heard from our clients who stayed at the resort at the same time being very similar.
“The impact of salmonella and other gastric illnesses should never be downplayed. They can result in serious complications leading to serious injury and sadly death, as Leslie’s case tragically highlights.
“While nothing can make up for what’s happened, we’re now investigating our client’s concerns and are determined to provide them with not only the answers they deserve, but access to specialist rehabilitation and support.
“With Fuerteventura being a winter sun destination, we’d urge holidaymakers due to visit this resort in the coming weeks to take care.
“In the meantime, if during the course of our investigations any issues are identified, action needs to be taken to reduce the risk of other holidaymakers falling ill in the future. It’s also vital that if there are others with concerns about the resort, they’re also now supported.” Jennifer Hodgson
Salmonella: Bolton couple Leslie and Julie Green's holiday illness story
Leslie and Julie, who have two daughters and one grandchild, arrived at Occidental Jandia Playa on 1 October, 2024.
Leslie, a retired newspaper delivery driver for the Manchester Evening News, fell ill on 9 October with symptoms including diarrhoea, which led to dehydration.
He was seen by the in-resort doctor on 12 October and taken by ambulance to the local clinic to be given fluids. His condition did not improve, and he was admitted to hospital the following day.
Leslie, who tested positive for salmonella, suffered complications including kidney failure, pneumonia and sepsis – where the body attacks itself in response to an infection.
He was placed into an induced coma, yet he continued to deteriorate, and doctors said they could do nothing further for him. Leslie, who had turned 70 in July 2024, died hours after his life-support machine was switched off on 4 November.
His body was repatriated a week later. A post-mortem examination was carried out on 18 November, the results of which are awaited.
Julie struck down by illness on holiday in The Canaries on her 60th birthday
Julie, a retired assistant nurse in the NHS, fell ill on 16 October – her 60th birthday. She was admitted to hospital the following day.
Julie, who had remained in Fuerteventura at the end of her holiday to be at her husband’s bedside was discharged from hospital on 24 October.
The couple’s daughter, Becci, 35, flew out to support her parents and to be at her dad’s bedside when his life-support machine was switched off. Sadly, their eldest daughter, Sarah, 38, who is in end stage renal failure, had recently been discharged from intensive care and was not medically fit to fly.
Julie and Becci waited in Fuerteventura so they could be on Leslie’s repatriation flight on 12 November.
Following her return home, Julie was affected by bowel related issues.
Julie pays tribute to kind and gentle husband as she seeks answers over their illness
Julie said: “When we booked the holiday to celebrate my 60th and Leslie’s 70th, we never imagined it would turn out the way it did.
“During the second week of the holiday, Leslie became ill and got progressively worse. I soon knew it was serious and wasn’t just a 24-hour thing that would pass. A few days later he was in hospital and then a week later I was as well.
“I was lucky in that, while I was very poorly, I wasn’t as bad as Leslie. Seeing him in hospital in those last few days was awful. He looked so frail, and I felt so helpless as I couldn’t do anything for him.
“Saying goodbye to Leslie and seeing his life slip away is something I don’t think I’ll get over.
“Leslie was one of the good guys. He was a kind and gentle man who adored his family and enjoyed keeping fish, playing darts and pool, and supporting his football team, Bury FC.
“I still can’t comprehend how we went on holiday together, but Leslie never came home. If it wasn’t for the pain I wake with daily, it almost wouldn’t seem real.
“Leslie and I had so many plans for our retirement, but I feel cheated that these have been taken away from us in the cruellest way.
“The least I deserve is answers.”
Julie said she had concerns that a carbonara sauce the couple ate one day was lukewarm, while she had to leave chicken at one meal as when she got to the thicker end, she believed it was undercooked.
Julie also told her legal team at Irwin Mitchell that she didn’t see any staff washing their hands and newly cooked food would be mixed with food that had been stood.
Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting holidaymakers struck down by serious injury abroad at our dedicated illness abroad section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.