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Couple's anger after getting holiday bug
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| Caroline Goddard and her husband John are taking legal action against tour operator First Choice Holidays and Flights Ltd after falling extremely ill on a holiday in Egypt |
A COUPLE from Basingstoke are taking legal action after being struck down with a nasty stomach bug on a "holiday from hell".
John and Caroline Goddard jetted to Taba, Egypt, earlier this year for a five-star, all-inclusive two-week getaway.
But their dream holiday soon became a nightmare because, within days of arriving, they both fell ill with diarrhoea and severe abdominal pain.
The couple, of Chopin Road, Brighton Hill, told The Gazette how an outbreak of gastric illness gripped the hotel and at least 60 British holidaymakers were struck down with the distressing symptoms.
They also said other guests were given drips to stay hydrated and children were vomiting on beaches.
Mr and Mrs Goddard believe the food was to blame, although this hasn't been confirmed, and they are now taking legal action against the travel operator, First Choice Holidays and Flights Ltd.
Mr Goddard, 46, a police constable in Basingstoke, said: "This illness totally ruined our holiday and I find it an insult that the hotel tried to blame the British for bringing the illness into the hotel with them.
"So many people became ill and I just think it is appalling that no help was given to any of us.
"When the hotel finally said that they were going to take preventative measures, this was in the form of baby wipes being handed out on the way to the restaurant."
Mrs Goddard, 42, a chef at The Haymarket, in Wote Street, said: "It was awful, a holiday from hell.
"People were walking around the hotel attached to drips and we couldn't leave the hotel to go to the beach because they didn't have toilets there."
She added: "I cook for a living and I think it was the food. The rice was luke-warm and the chicken they served was undercooked and bloody."
All the holidaymakers stayed at the Mövenpick Hotel, in Taba, Egypt, during March and April, and travelled with First Choice Holidays and Flights Limited.
Samantha Owen, from the travel law team at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, in London, is dealing with similar complaints from 30 people.
She said: "It is very concerning to find that a number of people have suffered from the same serious gastric illness symptoms at this hotel.
"We are currently investigating whether basic health and hygiene measures, which safeguard against gastric illness of this nature, had been put in place to protect guests at this hotel."
Grace Jones, First Choice Holiday press officer, said: "First Choice can confirm that the legal department is investigating claims received regarding the Mövenpick, in Taba, Egypt, and is therefore unable to comment further and will respond appropriately in due course.
"The hotel continues to be very popular among our customers. We would like to assure customers due to travel there in the future that they will experience the high levels of quality and standards they expect from a First Choice property."
8:11am Friday 11th July 2008
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CommentPosted by: pingu, Iceland on 10:37am Fri 11 Jul 08
Why is this even a story? Who cares? They had a bad holiday, they'll get some compensation. Exactly why do we all need to know this?
Why is this even a story? Who cares? They had a bad holiday, they'll get some compensation. Exactly why do we all need to know this?
Posted by: Hantsy, Basingstoke on 12:32pm Fri 11 Jul 08
She gets the two bob bits and wants the whole world to know about it!
Is it really a news story? Travel to Africa or further afield and the odd runny tummy has to be expected. It may or may not have been the food but who cares? It's a matter between the tourist, the travel company and the hotel and doesn't need a wider audience.
It certainly didn't put her off her food for long did it?!
She gets the two bob bits and wants the whole world to know about it!
Is it really a news story? Travel to Africa or further afield and the odd runny tummy has to be expected. It may or may not have been the food but who cares? It's a matter between the tourist, the travel company and the hotel and doesn't need a wider audience.
It certainly didn't put her off her food for long did it?!
Posted by: BonzoDog, local on 8:00am Mon 14 Jul 08
It's hardly front page news is it? It happens every holiday for some, it's almost expected when you visit third world countries.
Their levels of hygiene are basic to say the least. You have to be ultra careful in these countries, but some always fail to comply.
It's hardly front page news is it? It happens every holiday for some, it's almost expected when you visit third world countries.
Their levels of hygiene are basic to say the least. You have to be ultra careful in these countries, but some always fail to comply.
Posted by: BonzoDog, local on 8:03am Mon 14 Jul 08
[quote]She added: "I cook for a living and I think it was the food. The rice was luke-warm and the chicken they served was undercooked and bloody."[/quote]
Well, why did you eat it then? Mrs Goddard, a chef, should know better than most, but she failed.
She added: "I cook for a living and I think it was the food. The rice was luke-warm and the chicken they served was undercooked and bloody."
Well, why did you eat it then? Mrs Goddard, a chef, should know better than most, but she failed.
Posted by: Nick Knight, Sheffield on 3:20pm Mon 28 Jul 08
Myself and my family were also at this hotel at the time of the outbreak and we think this is a very good idea as others who were affected by this terrible experience can be helped in claiming the compensation they deserve by contacting the law firm and joining the group action.
Myself and my family were also at this hotel at the time of the outbreak and we think this is a very good idea as others who were affected by this terrible experience can be helped in claiming the compensation they deserve by contacting the law firm and joining the group action.
Posted by: Pete Gilks on 8:05am Tue 29 Jul 08
I meet the above Mr & Mrs Goddard on that holiday, and Mrs Goddard was very poorly, so please dont mock. I saw a man carrying he's wife to reception, she was so ill, and a young lad being sick all over the reception floor, it was a really sad experience.
I meet the above Mr & Mrs Goddard on that holiday, and Mrs Goddard was very poorly, so please dont mock. I saw a man carrying he's wife to reception, she was so ill, and a young lad being sick all over the reception floor, it was a really sad experience.
Posted by: Experienced traveller on 10:43pm Thu 31 Jul 08
hot sunshine, alcohol on tap and food you wouldn't normally eat in the UK. Add it all together at the volume you wouldn't normally eat/drink and hy presto you have recipe for the poops. i have seen this soooo many times. Why sue the Tour Operator? Do they have to educate people on how to look after themselves overseas?
hot sunshine, alcohol on tap and food you wouldn't normally eat in the UK. Add it all together at the volume you wouldn't normally eat/drink and hy presto you have recipe for the poops. i have seen this soooo many times. Why sue the Tour Operator? Do they have to educate people on how to look after themselves overseas?
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