Ski trip family sue over carbon monoxide leak blamed on snow

A FAMILY who stayed at a five-star ski chalet are suing a travel company after suffering carbon monoxide poisoning that was blamed on too much snow.

Bryan Elliott, 59, and his wife Lorna, 58, from Chippenham, Wilts, went to the French Alps resort of La Plagne Soleil for a week over Christmas with their sons Paul and Alexander, Kerri and Poppy, their daughters-in-law, and Harry, Charlie and Lachlan, their grandchildren.

On the last night of their stay, sixyear-old Harry became sick and his mother Kerri, 34, collapsed. Paul, who celebrated his 38th birthday during the trip, raised the alarm.

All of the family returned to the UK following treatment. However, they are still suffering ongoing symptoms, including sickness and memory loss, and it is not yet known whether they will endure long-term effects.

The family say that they were shocked to be told by Skiworld, which provided the holiday, that the cause was due to a “snow-blocked air intake flue” following an increase in precipitation.

“What should have been a family holiday of a lifetime ended being a nightmare,” said Mr Elliott, an engineer, who has instructed lawyers to bring a case for compensation.

Skiworld said: “The cause of the build-up of carbon monoxide within the chalet was a snow-blocked air intake flue. Considerable snowfall had been experienced in the resort. Conditions so far this season have been described as a once-in-a-30-year event.”

It added: “Our thoughts are with the Elliott family for the distress and upset experienced, and we are very sorry that they have suffered as a result. At the time our staff were immediately on site and did all they could to assist. As this case is subject to legal action we are not in a position to comment further.”