News, Manchester
HandoutA widow has told how there is a “gaping hole” in her family after the death of her husband from food poisoning on a birthday holiday to Fuerteventura.
Leslie Green, 70, contracted the bacterial infection salmonella from eating undercooked chicken at their all-inclusive hotel and died in hospital on 4 November 2024 after developing sepsis.
An inquest heard Mr Green and his wife Julie, from Little Lever in Bolton, had only eaten at the Occidental Jandia Playa resort during their £2,300 stay, booked through Jet2 holidays.
Jet2 told the it would be “inappropriate” to comment due to an ongoing legal claim but offered its “thoughts and condolences” to the Green family.
The has also contacted Barcelo Hotel Group, which owns the Occidental Jandia Playa resort, for a comment.
Mrs Green said life “would never be the same” following her husband’s death but she hoped by speaking out she could warn others about the dangers of salmonella.
“I still struggle to comprehend how we went on holiday, but Leslie didn’t come home,” she said.
HandoutMrs Green, 60, who is a retired nurse, was also taken ill a few days after her husband and spent a week in hospital on the Spanish island.
She said: “Leslie was such a loving and caring husband and dad. He was my best friend and life without him will never be the same.”
Rochdale Coroner’s Court heard how Mr Green began suffering symptoms including diarrhoea on 9 October 2024, nine days after the couple’s arrival.
He became dehydrated and was seen by the in-resort doctor on 12 October, who sent him to a local clinic to be given fluids.
However, his condition deteriorated and he was admitted to hospital the following day.
Mr Green, a retired delivery driver for the Manchester Evening News, was later placed into an induced coma, but doctors said nothing further could be done for him.
The couple’s daughter Becci, 35, flew out to be at her father’s bedside and was there when the decision was made to end his life-support.
HandoutThe coroner concluded Mr Green had died from food poisoning contracted whilst on holiday after eating partially cooked chicken.
His body was flown home on 12 November, with his wife and daughter on board the repatriation flight.
After the inquest, Mrs Green said: “I’d do anything not to be in this position and for Leslie to be in our lives, but I know that’s not possible.
“Listening to the evidence has been difficult but it was something I was determined to do to honour Leslie’s memory.”
The family’s solicitor, Jennifer Hodgson from law firm Irwin Mitchell, said the family had their concerns “validated” by the inquest.
She said: “While nothing can make up for the ordeal Julie and her family have been through, it’s now vital that lessons are learned to improve hygiene for other holidaymakers in the future.”
