Widow taking legal action against Thomas Cook after her husband died from ‘holiday tummy bug'

Widow taking legal action against Thomas Cook after her husband died
from 'holiday tummy bug'
23:03, 15 AUG 2016 UPDATED 23:03, 15 AUG 2016
BY ADAM ASPINALL

Ted Jackson, 63, was on two-week break with wife Susan when he was
struck down with stomach cramps

taking legal action against Thomas Cook after her husband was taken to a
"dilapidated" Cuban clinic and later died - from a 'holiday tummy bug'

A widow is taking legal action against Thomas Cook after her husband
died from a stomach bug on a two-week holiday in Cuba'.

Ted Jackson, 63, was on a break on the Caribbean island with wife Susan,
61, when they both started to suffer from stomach cramps in January this
year.

The retired steel worker, from Newport, south Wales, deteriorated and
was admitted to a clinic, then a hospital, where he suffered three heart
attacks.

He eventually died of acute infective gastroenteritis and diarrhoea in
hospital in Cuba the following month.

Distraught Susan said during their stay at the all-inclusive Hotel Playa
Pesquero Ted spotted staff handling raw and cooked meats without washing
their hands.

Susan, who is registered blind, said: "Our whole family has been left
absolutely heartbroken following Ted's sudden death.

"I want to know how this came to happen and how what many people believe
is a trivial illness had such an impact on Ted and the lives of me and
my family.

Mum-of-one Susan said Ted had told her he saw kitchen staff handled raw
and cooked meats without gloves on or washing their hands.

When Ted began to suffer cramps he was treated by the doctor at the
hotel before he got worse and was placed on a drip and was given medication.

Both Ted and Susan were then transferred by ambulance to a local clinic.

Later that afternoon Ted was rushed to hospital and given oxygen and
placed on a drip, before he was transferred to intensive care.

Later Susan was told he had suffered a heart attack and he died in the
early hours of the next day after suffering two more heart attacks on
February 2.

His cause of death was recorded a hypovolemic shock, diarrhoea and acute
infective gastroenteritis.

Susan has now instructed lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the
cause of his illness.

International personal injury lawyer Clare Pearson said: "We have
launched our own investigations into this tragic loss of life and we
hope the tour operator Thomas Cook will do everything they possibly can
to provide answers to Susan's questions as well as reassurance."

A Thomas Cook spokesperson said: "We would like to express our sincere
condolences to Mrs Jackson and her family for their sad loss.

"Nothing is more important to us than the safety and wellbeing of our
customers and we are deeply saddened by Mr Jackson's death.

"We routinely audit properties to ensure standards are met."

Source: Widow taking legal action against Thomas Cook after her husband
died from 'holiday tummy bug' - Mirror Online -
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/widow-taking-legal-action-against-8636217