Relatives of two people whose deaths were linked to a salmonella outbreak in County Durham are hoping an inquest will provide them with answers nearly three years on.
Sandra Blake and Stewart Graham died in February 2018.
Sandra’s husband, Heath, also fell ill on the same day as his wife with similar symptoms but survived.
Tests later confirmed that all three had salmonella.
There were 19 confirmed cases of salmonella and three suspected cases in East Durham and Hartlepool in early 2018, Public Health England said.
An inquest into Sandra’s and Stewart’s deaths is now due to take place this week.
Husband and wife Heath and Sandra Blake both began feeling unwell on February 11, 2018, with symptoms including sickness and diarrhoea.
Over the coming days Sandra was visited at home by a GP. She was admitted to North Tees Hospital on 14 February. She died aged 68 two weeks later.
Following tests it was revealed that the couple, who have two daughters, had salmonella.
Sandra was a retired council-worker and Heath a former mineworker.
Heath, 71, said: “We all continue to miss Sandra and struggle to accept that’s she no longer part of our lives. Not only was she a wonderful wife and my best friend but she was also an amazing mum and grandmother.
"We’ve had to be patient but we hope that the inquest will finally answer all of the concerns our family has.”
Stewart Graham, father of five children, was well known in the area having been a former football coach for Sunderland football club and coached Steph Houghton who now captains England Ladies Team and Manchester City.
The 66-year-old was found dead at his home in Shotton Colliery, on February 21, 2018.
His daughter, Paula Conway, 45, said: “When dad started feeling unwell everyone thought it would pass in a few days and he would start getting back to normal in a week or so. That he didn’t is still a huge shock to us.
“Nothing was ever too much trouble for dad and he was always happy to help, not only his family but also help many children through his football coaching.
“We know the inquest and listening to the circumstances as to how he died is going to be difficult but we feel it’s something we have to do on his behalf.
“We still have a lot of questions about his death and just hope that the inquest will finally provide us with answers.”
Jatinder Paul, a lawyer at Irwin Mitchell who is representing the families at the inquest, added: “Sandra’s and Stewart’s deaths have had a profound effect on the families, and more than 18 months on they remain heart-broken at their loss.
“They now hope that the inquest will provide them with the vital answers they deserve.”
A jury inquest is due to start at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, December 9, and is listed for two days.
