Brit mum battles for her life after Greece holiday goes badly wrong
Donna Jobling is in intensive care at a hospital in Crete after a dream Easyjet Holidays break with husband Sidney went badly wrong
Donna Jobling
(Image: Submitted )
A Brit woman is battling for her life in hospital after contracting Legionnaires' disease during a dream holiday in Greece. Donna Jobling, 57, from west Hull, had gone to the island on a £1,500-per-couple holiday with husband Sidney.
But their idyllic break in Crete went badly wrong after she fell ill. And she is currently in intensive care at Venizeleio Hospital in Heraklion, Hull Live reports.
Donna and her husband were enjoying an all-inclusive holiday with friends, Paula and Nicolas Mason. The initial days were enjoyable until June 5, when Donna felt unwell and had to rest.
She developed a chest infection and became seriously ill two days later. By June 11, doctors at the hospital had put Donna into an induced coma after tests confirmed she had contracted Legionnaires' disease.
It had been caused by Legionella pneumophila, her niece, Claire, told Hull Live. The infection led to acute respiratory failure and pneumonia, according to her family.
Legionnaires' disease is most commonly contracted through inhaling water droplets from contaminated air conditioning systems. The source of Legionnaires' Disease remains unknown, but as a safety measure, easyJet Holidays, which organised the couples' trip, has relocated other guests from the affected hotel.
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Sidney, a former police officer, remains by her side. After hearing about Donna's condition, Claire, 42, flew out to Crete. Yet she has since returned to Hull to obtain documents proving Donna's insurance cover.
Claire plans to fly back to Crete as soon as she secures the necessary documents. "We are all devastated and beside ourselves," said Claire, a mum-of-six.
She said: "We were told it was touch and go whether she would survive. We are all praying for her.
"She is stable but under constant watch. We flew out there but had to come back because of work and family commitments.
"I'm still waiting for documents but will go back with them as soon as I have them."
She said Donna is "like a mother to us all." Recalling past trips, she said: "We have happy memories of the island.
"It used to be our go-to holiday destination and we went as a whole family. It is beautiful. The weather is great and the food is fantastic."
Speaking about Donna's care, Claire said that despite complex medical conditions including epilepsy, Donna is being well looked after. She said: "It is quite strict in the intensive care unit. You only get 30 minutes to visit. But she is well looked after."
Paula and Nicholas Mason returned to Hull on June 12. Paula, aged 52, told Hull Live: "It was lovely at the start of the holiday. We all walked everywhere.
"Then it came out from nowhere. She has a lot of health problems anyway. But she became seriously ill and the doctor said she had to be taken to hospital. and they have put her in an induced coma in the intensive care unit."
An easyJet representative said: "We're so sorry to hear that Ms Jobling is unwell, and we're continuing to support her and her family in every way we can.
"As soon as we were made aware of reports of illness, we immediately took action and contacted customers who were already staying in the hotel, or due to travel in the next four weeks, to provide alternative hotel options.
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"We've also been in touch with customers who recently returned home from this hotel, to inform them of necessary guidance. Our customers' safety and wellbeing is our top priority, and we'll continue to do all we can to support them."
It is understood that the hotel is collaborating with local health officials on the island.
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