Hazards of the Caribbean: Kent Family Woe After Sickness in Dominican Republic
12/02/2007
Family holiday turned into misery after gastric bug outbreak
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Barry, Doncaster A woman from Kent has told how her dream Caribbean holiday turned into misery for her and her elderly parents after they were struck down with a severe gastric bug which affected a large group of guests and led to fears of quarantine on their arrival back to the UK.
Sickness and diarrhoea Golden Village hotel
Caroline Sherwood (46) from Hawkinge in Kent travelled with her husband Tony (53) in January 2007. The Sherwood's travelled with their son, Carl (27), Mrs Sherwood's elderly parents Maurice (69) and Patricia Deverson (67), and Amanda Brunswell (39) a friend of the family who was celebrating her birthday whilst away. Within days of arrival at the Golden Village hotel in the Dominican Republic they were suffering from extreme gastric complaints including sickness and diarrhoea.
Mrs Sherwood said "We were all really looking forward to time away with my family and instead of a relaxing 2 week break we ended up not being able to leave the room or relax for the whole time we were away. I was especially worried for the health of my Mum and Dad"
"The situation was so bad that on the return flight home cabin crew were unable to serve food due to people being sick and having to urgently use the toilet on the plane. When we arrived at Gatwick Airport, Port Health were called and at one point we were told that we might have to be quarantined."
Sickness outbreak Dominican Republic
The Sherwood family travelled to the Dominican Republic with tour operator First Choice who they now plan to sue through travel law specialists Irwin Mitchell Solicitors. The family claim that there had been previous outbreaks at the resort, and that the tour representatives in the resort did not seem to be taking their illness and the illness of other holidaymakers seriously.
Their lawyer Clare Pearson of Irwin Mitchell says "We have been contacted by other holidaymakers in relation to their holidays at this hotel and we are expecting enquires from others as it seems there has been a wide spread problem at the hotel."
"In our experience these illnesses can have a long term and serious impact on health as a result of the failures by hotels or tour operators to comply with basic health and hygiene practices which could be implemented with minimal expense.
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