Boy Developed Gastric Illness During Family Stay At Tia Heights In Hurghada

The mother of a seven-year-old boy from Birmingham left ‘fighting for his life’ after he developed salmonella during a stay at an Egyptian holiday resort has instructed specialist lawyers to help her gain answers regarding the ‘nightmare’.

Seven-year-old Luay Mohammad, from Balsall Heath, developed gastric illness symptoms including severe diarrhoea and painful stomach cramps during the second week of his two-week stay at the five-star Tia Heights resort in Hurghada with his family in July and August.

On his return to the UK Luay was admitted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital after it emerged that the illness had led to a series of complications which started with high fever and hallucinations, with the youngster then developing life-threatening sepsis and suffering both seizures and a stroke. He remained under critical care for almost three weeks in the hospital’s intensive care unit. He is now stable and undergoing physiotherapy as an inpatient.

Luay’s mother Fathia Obayd, 30, has instructed specialist lawyers in Irwin Mitchell’s International Personal Injury team, based in Birmingham, to investigate her son’s ordeal and help Luay secure justice regarding the devastating chain of events he has endured.

Amandeep Dhillon, a Partner at Irwin Mitchell’s Birmingham office is representing Luay’s family and has also been instructed by more than 45 holidaymakers who fell ill at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic in Hurghada, Egypt, earlier this year.

Expert Opinion

“This is a hugely troubling case which highlights the devastating impact that salmonella food poisoning can have, with those most vulnerable such as children often going on to develop further complications and health problems.

“After the Egyptian authorities have confirmed last week that E. Coli, which is a potentially fatal bacterial infection, was the cause of Mr and Mrs Cooper’s deaths at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic in August, it is even more concerning that yet another Egyptian case has come to light where a young holidaymaker has been left with potentially life-long complications.

“Sepsis is incredibly dangerous and can prove fatal if not diagnosed quickly. It is not an exaggeration to say that the swift actions of the staff at Birmingham Children’s Hospital may have saved Luay’s life.

“It is still not known what Luay’s long-term prognosis will be but we are investigating what Luay has faced and are determined to get answers following confirmation upon his return from holiday that he was suffering from Salmonella. It is vital that, where possible, lessons can be learned from this case so others do not face similar issues in the future.

“As part of our investigations we would like to hear from other guests who may have information about conditions at the Tia Heights this summer.” Amandeep Dhillon - Partner

The team at Irwin Mitchell has considerable experience of handling cases of this nature and have represented thousands of holidaymakers who have fallen seriously ill abroad. The team has recovered millions of pounds from tour operators including representing over 600 people who fell ill at the Holiday Village in Turkey over successive years between 2009 and 2014, and over 1,000 fell who fell ill following holidays at the Bahia Principe in the Dominican Republic in 2007.

The firm also notably acts for more than 45 holidaymakers who suffered illness at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in Hurghada, Egypt, earlier this summer.

Luay’s holiday at Tia Heights with 12 members of his family was booked with online travel agency Purple Travel Limited and began on 27 July. He, along with five other members of his family fell ill during the second week of the holiday and after returning home on 10 August, Luay’s illness worsened. A week later he was rushed to A&E and has remained in hospital since.

Fathia said: “It was absolutely horrendous seeing how the illness had affected him – he was screaming and struggling to breath. When we got to hospital we were told he might not make it, which is something simply no mother should ever have to hear about one of their children.

“It is horrifying to think this all started with him suffering food poisoning, but that is what the medical experts have suggested. This was meant to be a special family holiday but now we will always look back on it as a nightmare.

“We saw a few things that troubled us during the holiday like new food seemingly being added to old and some items being reheated, but I never felt for one moment that we could be at risk of serious harm.

“I am just so angry and I am determined to ensure that no other parent goes through what I am facing. This simply cannot be allowed to happen again.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in handling holiday illness cases.