Egypt death couple ‘fit and healthy’
ACOUPLE who died at a resort hotel in Egypt were “fit and healthy” before their holiday, their daughter has said.
Kelly Ormerod, was on a break with her parents, John and Susan Cooper, from Burnley, Lancashire, and her three children when tragedy struck.
The family were staying at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada when Mr Cooper, 69, died in his room.
Mrs Ormerod said her 63-year-old mother, a Thomas Cook employee, was taken to hospital but died.
She said the family were in “utter shock” as they awaited results of postmortem examinations on the couple, who had booked the holiday with Thomas Cook.
There is currently no evidence to suggest the deaths were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, which had been reported as a possible factor, the travel operator said.
The circumstances of the deaths remain unclear, the company said, adding that it has sent 24 staff to support around 300 customers in the hotel.
In a statement to Lancashire-based radio station 2BR, Mrs Ormerod said: “As a family we are devastated. Mum and Dad meant the world to me and the children, and we are in utter shock over what has happened and what is happening.
“Prior to going on holiday, Mum and Dad were fit and healthy. They had no health problems at all.
“What I want is to clear up some of what is being reported. We have no cause of death, a post-mortem is under way.
“Dad never went to hospital – he died in the hotel room in front of me. I went to hospital in the ambulance with Mum, where she passed away.
“Thomas Cook have been amazing, we have support from the company and I can’t praise them enough for what they’ve done.
“My focus is on getting my children home. All we want is answers about what has happened and a cause of death.
“I’d also like to thank people at home for their messages of love and support during this horrendous ordeal.”