A mum's dream holiday turned into a nightmare after she contracted an illness. Samantha Broadbent was holidaying with her son Ben in the Dominican Republic when she started to feel unwell.
The 49-year-old was enjoying the final day of her trip when she was struck down with gastric symptoms such as stomach cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting, reports TeessideLive. The family was staying at Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort, to celebrate Ben finishing primary school.
Samantha booked the holiday through company Tui, and said she was "really looking forward to it". But her illness symptoms got worse, and upon her return home she was treated in hospital with IV antibiotics and diagnosed with shigella, a bacterial infection.
She continues to have symptoms months after the August trip. She said: "I booked the holiday so I could have some quality time with Ben after he finished school. We had both been really looking forward to it, but by the end of the trip I was really unwell."
Samantha claims another family were also sick. Samantha added: "Food was left uncovered and reheated, with new food added to existing. There were also crabs and cats seen around the buffet, as well as spiders and flies. It really didn’t seem hygienic to me.
Other claims include plasters and bugs floating in the pool. Samantha says "really isn’t something you expect from a five-star resort”.
She added: “I’m not someone who normally suffers with a delicate stomach, but it’s been awful since our holiday. I always have to make sure there’s a toilet around and there are some things I can’t eat now as they trigger it.
“To find out I had a bacterial infection was a huge shock and I deserve some answers. While I can’t change what I’ve been through, knowing how it happened might help stop others from suffering like I have.”
The mum has instructed lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how she became infected with shigella. Jatinder Paul, the specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Samantha, said: “Samantha had been looking forward to treating Ben to a well-earned holiday after he finished primary school. Sadly, however, she fell ill at the end of the trip and ended up in hospital in the UK.
“Shigella is a bacterial infection most commonly contracted by consuming food or water that has become contaminated. It can have a significant impact on those affected."
In response, a TUI spokesperson said: "We are sorry to hear about Ms Broadbent’s experience at the Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort In the Dominican Republic, however as this is now a legal matter it would be inappropriate to comment.
"We’d like to reassure customers that we regularly audit all of our hotels in respect to health and safety, including hygiene."
