British couple die after falling ill at Thomas Cook hotel in Egypt
TWO British tourists have died on a Thomas Cook holiday at a hotel where a number of other guests reportedly fell ill.
The travel company last night took the decision to evacuate the rest of the guests staying at the Egyptian Red Sea resort “as a precaution” following the deaths of John and Susan Cooper.
The couple were holidaying at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in Hurghada. The company was yesterday investigating their deaths.
Mrs Cooper was a Thomas Cook employee who worked at a Burnley branch, which was closed yesterday as a show of respect. Ahmed Abdullah, the province’s governor, insisted Mr Cooper, 69, and Mrs Cooper, 64, from Burnley, Lancs, died of natural causes.
“The husband fell sick and was taken to hospital, where he died. About three hours later his wife had a shock and died,” he added. However, Thomas Cook said customers had been evacuated after it had received reports of a “raised level of illness among guests”.
It comes 12 years after the operator was rocked by the deaths of Bobby and Christi Shepherd, aged six and seven, who died from carbon monoxide poisoning at a Corfu hotel in October 2006. At their inquest, it was found the firm breached its duty of care over the deaths. There is no suggestion the latest incident has any link to that case.
Mr and Mrs Cooper were yesterday described as “very, very close” by family friend Alban Barker. The 70-yearold told The Daily Telegraph: “John was very talkative – he always had a funny story to tell. You could never get a word in because he was just so chatty and full of life. I would frequently see him in the local pub after Burnley football matches and he would always spend 20 minutes chatting to everyone. We are devastated to hear the news.”
It is understood the couple were on holiday with their young grandchildren and daughter, Kelly.
In a statement, Thomas Cook said: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of two of our customers that were staying in the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in Hurghada, Egypt.
“The circumstances of their deaths are still unclear. We have received further reports of a raised level of illness among guests. Safety is always our first priority, so as a precautionary measure we have taken a decision to remove all our customers from this hotel. We will be offering customers alternative hotels within Hurghada, as well as giving them the option to return home.”