Family demand answers after gran dies of lethal bug caught on Caribbean holiday
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A family are demanding answers after a grandmother died of a lethal bug while on holiday in the Caribbean.
Lynn Stigwood, 70, died of legionnaires’ disease which she caught during a 10-day stay at the Grand Sirenis resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic while holidaying with her family.
Mrs Stigwood started vomiting and suffering from diarrhoea and was struggling to breathe before being taken to a local hospital, where she was placed in an induced coma before being transferred to Florida in the United States for further treatment.
She spent the next month in a coma before she passed away on September 29, 2019.
Her family were informed by their tour operator once they left the hotel, TUI UK Ltd, that three other tourists had tested positive for Legionnaires disease.
Mrs Stigwood’s son Philip and daughter Helen managed to visit their mother in the United States and say their goodbyes before she passed away.
Her husband Melvyn, 72, said: "Lynn started off by suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea, but things got progressively worse after that.
"She was breathless, lethargic, and really struggling to walk.
"We knew she needed hospital treatment, but were stunned when she was placed in an induced coma.
"It was horrendous. We were told there were other cases of Legionnaires' during our holiday, but you never think you could possibly be at risk.
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"She was hugely loved and I think about her every day."
Two years after the tragic event the family have enlisted the help of law firm Irwin Mitchell to investigate whether more could have been done to stop the spread of the disease.
Mr Stigwood added: "I was also very disappointed with TUI who did not really do much to help us, as we only received contact from a rep in Florida after my wife had passed away.
"Lynn was the most loving and caring wife, mum, and grandma anyone could wish for. Even two years on from her death it's difficult to come to terms with what happened."
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Legionnaire’s disease, which is a type of pneumonia, is contracted after breathing in contaminated tiny droplets floating in the air.
In England and Wales each year there are an estimated 200 to 250 legionnaire’s cases, but this figure is thought to be an underestimation.
Jatinder Paul, a specialist lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: "Through our work, sadly we have seen on many occasions how Legionnaires' disease can have a devastating impact and nothing highlights this more than Lynn's death.
"We're now investigating how Lynn contracted her illness and are looking into her stay in the Dominican Republic."
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He went on: "We're determined to support Lynn's family and help them gain the answers that they deserve regarding their loss and would like to hear from anyone affected at the resort.
"After leaving the hotel the family were notified by TUI UK Limited, their tour operator, that three other holidaymakers had tested positive for Legionnaires' disease.
"We would be interested to hear from any others who have experienced illness, and particularly respiratory symptoms, or tested positive for Legionnaires' disease following stays at this resort in 2019 to assist us with our investigations."
A Tui spokesperson told the Daily Star: "We remain saddened to hear the news of Mrs Stigwood and our thoughts are with her family.
"As this matter is subject to legal proceedings it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."
- Family
- Holidays
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