Sunday 18 September 2022 04:38 PM Family launch legal action against holiday giant TUI after becoming ill during ... trends now
A family has launched legal action against holiday giant TUI after they were struck down with severe vomiting and diarrhoea during a five-star luxury break to Mexico.
Katie Richards, 33, and her husband Ashley, 34, travelled to the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Resort and Spa in Cancun with their six-year-old daughter and other relatives in July.
The couple was celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary but the trip went south when many of the family allegedly began falling seriously ill.
The family claims the buffet food, including chicken, at the resort appeared to be undercooked and they even found a maggot in the salad.
They also reported seeing flies, cats, birds and raccoons around the food, some of which was not chilled and was served with dirty cutlery.
The couple claims they were left bed bound for three days and most of the family reported they were still suffering symptoms following their return to the UK.
They have now instructed lawyers to investigate their case and begun legal proceedings against tour operator TUI UK.
Katie Richards, 33, (left) and her husband Ashley, 34, (right) have launched legal action against holiday giant TUI after they were struck down with severe vomiting and diarrhoea during a five-star luxury break to Mexico. They are picture with their daughter Ruby (centre)
The couple travelled to the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Resort and Spa in Cancun (pictured) with their six-year-old daughter and other relatives in July
Katie, a nurse, and Ashley, a sales executive, arrived at the resort on July 20 but Katie began to feel unwell six days later, suffering from severe gastric illness.
Within three days, Ashley, their daughter Ruby and nephew had also fallen ill, with Ashley bed-bound for part of their ruined trip.
Holidaying with them were Katie's parents, Alison Whitmore, 60, a primary school administration assistant, and Philip Whitmore, 61, a former chef.
Alison and Philip started to feel unwell on July 28 and by the following day, both had diarrhoea and complained of tiredness, sweating and stomach pains.
The family reported still feeling ill after having returned to the UK on August 3.
Katie and Ashley, of Derby, both lost weight as a result of the ordeal and went to see their GP while Alison and Philip have also spoken with a doctor.
Philip even tested positive for Cyclospora - a pathogen that can be contracted by drinking unclean water or eating food that has not been cooked or washed properly.
The family claims the buffet food, including chicken, at the resort appeared to be undercooked and they even found a maggot in the salad. They also reported seeing flies, cats, birds and raccoons around
