Wife's tribute to 'best friend' who died after eating undercooked hotel chicken

Irish Daily Mirror

a day ago

A heartbroken wife has released a statement following the tragic death of her husband, who died after consuming 'undercooked chicken' at a Fuerteventura hotel.
To mark his milestone 70th birthday, Leslie Green and his family booked accommodation at the four-star Occidental Jandia Playa resort in autumn 2024.
Tragically, what was meant to be a perfect holiday filled with cherished memories turned into catastrophe.
On October 9, during the second week of their €2,700 break, the grandfather-of-one became seriously unwell.
He experienced symptoms including diarrhoea, which caused dehydration, and required placement in an induced coma as his condition worsened, reports the Mirror.
Devastatingly, he would never regain consciousness.
On November 4, just hours after the decision was taken to turn off his life support equipment, Leslie died, leaving his family devastated.
An inquest at Rochdale Coroner's Court determined that Leslie died from multi-organ failure resulting from sepsis, triggered by Salmonella.
Following the hearing, Julie Green, Leslie's wife of 38 years, honoured the retired newspaper delivery driver for the Manchester Evening News, whom she called her "best friend" in an emotional statement.
Julie, from Little Lever in Bolton, 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. Julie and Leslie Green on their holiday in the Canary Islands, before Leslie fell ill. (Image: Irwin Mitchell / SWNS) Occidental Jandia Playa resort in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands. (Image: Irwin Mitchell / SWNS)
"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. Leslie was the head of our family and someone everyone looked to for help and guidance."
She continued: "There's now a gaping hole in our family that can never be filled. 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. I just hope that by speaking out, I can prevent anyone else suffering like Leslie did. I wouldn't wish that on anyone."
Retired nurse Julie also fell seriously unwell, developing salmonella on what turned out to be her 60th birthday, and was hospitalised for a week.
According to Julie, she and Leslie had consumed only food from the hotel buffet throughout their visit.
She remembered how they'd consumed a dish featuring tepid carbonara sauce on one occasion, whilst another separate meal included inadequately cooked chicken.
Julie also claimed that freshly prepared food had been combined with food that had been left standing, whilst staff weren't observed washing their hands.
On August 13, the Barceló Hotel Group, which operates the Occidental Jandia Playa, responded to these allegations and confirmed that no Salmonella has been identified at the hotel within the past twelve months. A spokesperson said: "The Barceló Hotel Group deeply regrets the death of a guest at our Fuerteventura hotel in November 2024. On behalf of the entire group, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the guest's family and loved ones and reiterate our firm commitment to the safety and well-being of our customers.
"The Barceló Hotel Group has a strict food hygiene and safety protocol that includes rigorous internal controls and periodic external audits performed by an independent company renowned in food safety.
"This control system guarantees compliance with applicable regulations and our company's stringent quality standards. We also hold certificates from the aforementioned external audit company confirming that no Salmonella has been detected at the hotel in the last twelve months. These audits and controls reflect our ongoing commitment to the health and safety of guests."
The Greens were enjoying a Jet2 break when the devastating incidents occurred. Jet2 has said it would be "inappropriate" to comment due to an ongoing legal claim, but did express its "thoughts and condolences" to Leslie's family.
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