Leslie Green, 70, was celebrating his birthday when he fell ill
Leslie Green(Image: Irwin Mitchell / SWNS)
A dad died after eating half-cooked chicken from the buffet at a Spanish luxury resort.
Leslie Green was celebrating his birthday at a four-star resort in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, when he contracted salmonella.
He had been enjoying a special trip with his family to mark his 70th birthday when he fell ill during the second week of the £2,300 holiday.
The grandad-of-one was admitted to a Spanish hospital but he developed complications, including sepsis and kidney failure.
Leslie tragically died in hospital from multi-organ failure about four weeks later.
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An inquest has now found he died from food poisoning contracted as a result of eating partially cooked chicken on holiday, Manchester Evening News reports.
Julie, his wife of 38 years, had to spend a week in hospital after being left seriously ill from salmonella on her 60th birthday.
The couple had only eaten from the buffet in the hotel during their holiday, Julie said.
The inquest at Rochdale Coroner’s Court concluded Leslie died of multi-organ failure as a result of sepsis, caused by salmonella.
After the hearing, Julie said: “It’s almost impossible to find the words to describe the last few months and trying to come to terms with Leslie’s death.
“Leslie was such a loving and caring husband and dad. He was my best friend and life without him will never be the same.
“I still struggle to comprehend how we went on holiday, but Leslie didn’t come home.”
She added: “Listening to the evidence has been difficult but it was something I was determined to do to honour Leslie’s memory.
“I just hope that by speaking out I can prevent anyone else suffering like Leslie did. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”
Leslie, a retired newspaper delivery driver for the Manchester Evening News, fell ill on October 9 last year.
Symptoms included diarrhoea, which led to dehydration.
Julie said the couple had concerns a carbonara sauce they ate was lukewarm.
She said she also found her chicken undercooked during another meal.
The widow claimed she did not see any staff washing their hands and newly cooked food was be mixed with food that had been stood.
Leslie, from Little Lever, Bolton, was seen by an in-resort doctor on October 12.
He was taken by ambulance to the local clinic to be given fluids.
But hic condition did not improve and he was admitted to hospital the next day.
Leslie suffered complications including kidney failure, pneumonia and sepsis – a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body attacks itself in response to an infection.
He was placed into an induced coma but continued to deteriorate.
Medics said they could do nothing further for him.
Leslie died hours after his life-support machine was switched off on November 4, with his body repatriated a week later.
Jennifer Hodgson, an international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Julie, said: “Julie and the rest of her family remain devastated by Leslie’s death and the circumstances surrounding it.
“Understandably they’ve had a number of concerns about how Leslie contracted his infection.
“Sadly, the inquest has validated their concerns, hearing worrying evidence.
“What happened to Leslie vividly highlights the impact of salmonella and why it, and other gastric illnesses, should never be downplayed.
“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.
“We continue to support Julie at this distressing time.”
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