Settlement reached for family of Tunisia terror attack victim
HOLIDAY OPERATOR TUI AGREES TO PAYOUTS WITHOUT ‘ADMISSION OF LIABILITY OR FAULT’
THE family of John Stollery, who was one of 38 tourists killed in a terror attack in Tunisia six years ago, have reached a settlement with travel operator TUI.
They are among a number of relatives of victims either killed or seriously injured in the deadly attack who have been given a payout.
John, 58, was a social worker at Nottinghamshire County Council for more than three decades.
He had been on holiday with wife, Cheryl, and their son, Matt, when extremist Seifeddine Rezgui opened fire at the five-star Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel on June 26, 2015.
Cheryl and Matt both survived the attack.
His family alleged TUI was responsible for safety and security breaches at the hotel, which the company denied.
A trial was due to take place at the High Court next month, however, on Thursday, TUI and Irwin Mitchell, who were representing the claimants, announced a settlement had been reached.
In a joint statement they said: “The tragic events of 26 June 2015 in Tunisia shocked and devastated us all and changed the lives of those affected forever.
“TUI has always expressed heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those caught up in the terrorist attack that day and continue to extend deepest sympathy.
“The claimants have fought tirelessly to understand how the attack happened and to seek to ensure that lessons have been learned so that other families are not affected by similar tragedy.”
They continued: “TUI has worked collaboratively with the claimants and their representatives Irwin Mitchell, to reach a settlement without admission of liability or fault and in recognition of the wholly exceptional circumstances of the case, and in the hope that it will go some way to assisting the claimants.
“TUI appreciates how difficult it must be to move on from such a horrific incident but hopes today will provide the opportunity for those affected to start to do so.”