‘Holiday from hell’ for mum made ill by bug

IT was a dream sunshine break to relax in luxury for mum-of-two Lisa Walker.

But, when illness struck, it turned into a holiday from hell.

Lisa had looked forward to sun, sea and sand when she booked her trip to Egypt but, after developing a gastric illness, she says her holiday turned into a nightmare.

Now she is fighting for justice and is taking legal action against tour operator TUI UK Limited, trading as First Choice.

Fed-up Lisa, from Yarm in Cleveland, had to take three weeks off work when she returned to the UK, after her doctor diagnosed her with gastric illness.

And the 35-year-old has instructed personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause.

Train manager Lisa flew to the fourstar Iberotel Coraya Beach Resort in Marsa Alam on October 26 last year for a week-long break with a female friend, but said she was furious to find that things were not as she had expected.

Lisa was looking forward to staying in the hotel set on the edge of a coral reef with a private beach, as well as three outside pools, one of them with a swim-up bar.

Meals were served in the buffet restaurant or the Mediterranean à la carte.

But she got more than she bargained for when, she claims, she was faced with dirty cutlery, food left uncovered, a filthy swimming pool area and a leaky roof.

She said: “I was disappointed with the hotel. It was certainly not what I expected.

“Some of the cutlery and crockery in the dining area was dirty, on occasions food was left out and uncovered – even the roof in reception leaked, which meant dirty water was flowing through

Lisa Walker, 35, from Yarm, who was struck down by illness in Egypt when on a First Choice holiday. Pictured with children Megan nine, and Christopher, five the hotel. The area around the swimming pool was also dirty with debris, which made its way into the swimming pool.

“When I got back to the UK I went to my GP and he diagnosed that I was suffering from a gastric illness. I lost three weeks off work for the sake of a miserable seven-day holiday.

“It was a nightmare holiday and wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”

Amandeep Samra, a lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing Lisa, said: “We are determined to help Lisa to obtain answers regarding the issues she faced. As part of our investigation we would be keen to hear from anyone else who was affected or witnessed the problems.”

A spokesperson for First Choice said: “We’re sorry to hear of the customer’s experience. As we understand this matter is now subject to legal proceedings it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.” I