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Family plans legal action after dream holiday turns into nightmare




Andrew Monk with daughter Lexi in the pool at the Egyptian resort of Hurghada
Andrew Monk with daughter Lexi in the pool at the Egyptian resort of Hurghada

A FAMILY from New Milton whose dream holiday to Egypt was turned into a nightmare by severe gastric illness is planning to take legal action against the tour operator.

Rachel Gepheart, along with her partner and daughter Lexi (2), who was one-year-old at the time, had travelled to the Desert Rose Resort in Hurghada.

The trip, purchased through tour operator Blue Sea Holidays by Rachel’s father, was an engagement present to her that also celebrated his birthday at the end of September 2018.

However, just a few days into the break Rachel and her daughter both began suffering symptoms of gastroenteritis, including severe diarrhoea and stomach cramps, their solicitor at specialist law firm Irwin Mitchell has claimed.

Rachel became so severely dehydrated she had to be put on a drip, while her daughter Lexi also required medical attention, it has been alleged.

Both she and Lexi needed follow-up treatment from their GP on their return to the UK because of ongoing symptoms. Rachel was advised she was likely to be suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, and her symptoms may continue for the foreseeable future.

It has been alleged food at the resort had been lukewarm and was often left uncovered, with flies spotted around it, and fresh ingredients added to old on the buffet.

The Desert Rose Resort in Hurghada, Egypt
The Desert Rose Resort in Hurghada, Egypt

Rachel (39) also told Irwin Mitchell she believed some food was recycled from previous meals.

“It was just a horrible holiday and we spoke to other people who were poorly out there too,” she claimed. “There were often people queuing up to see the doctor, some of them shaking, some could barely walk. They all seemed to be suffering from a similar gastric illness to us.

“It was meant to be an unforgettable, sentimental holiday for us, but we will now remember it for all the wrong reasons.”

Clare Pearson, a specialist holiday illness lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family, said: “This family travelled to Egypt hoping for a memorable holiday to mark a special occasion.

“Unfortunately the holiday was spoiled by severe and horrible gastric illness which ended up with them needing medical treatment both on holiday and when they got back to the UK.

“We are concerned by the information we have been provided with. Our client and her family suffered for most of their time at the Desert Rose in Egypt, and Rachel and her young daughter are still plagued by symptoms several months on.”

She continued: “This case highlights not only the impact that gastric illness issues can have on holidaymakers, but also how in some instances they can even lead to further health problems.

“As part of our investigation, we would be keen to hear from anyone else who may have also been affected by illness during a stay at this resort.”

The legal team at Irwin Mitchell also represented holidaymakers to the Egyptian Desert Rose Resort who fell ill on holiday in June last year. They too reported suffering from diarrhoea, abdominal pains and vomiting which ruined their trip.

The Gepheart family could take action against the hotel itself but that is unlikely since a separate claim would have to be launched in Egypt.

Public Health England issued advice on Tuesday morning to holidaymakers travelling to Egypt after a number of people, including children, returned with a serious illness caused by an E coli infection.

But an Irwin Mitchell spokesperson said that related to recent cases and did not apply to the timeframe when the Gephearts were in Egypt.

The A&T contacted tour operator Blue Sea Holidays for a comment, but did not receive a response.



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