'I stayed in a dirty four-star hotel in Turkey and almost died'
Richard was ill when he got home and was rushed to hospital, where he was placed into a coma
A dad-of-two says he nearly died after contracting a rare disease from a 'dirty' 4-star hotel while on a sunshine break in Turkey. Richard Moore, 55, began suffering from a fever and chest pains after returning from a five-day holiday with partner Julie, 50.
The chef became so ill he was rushed to hospital and placed in an induced coma and his wife and kids told he may not survive. Doctors confirmed he was suffering from potentially deadly Legionnaires' disease and he needed five days of hospital treatment, antibiotics and an IV drip.
Richard, of Blyth, Northumberland, said: 'This holiday was meant to be a short break before I started a new job as an executive chef. Instead, it cost me my dream job, my health and very nearly my life. As a result of the memory loss, I can't recall much of my time in hospital, but when I was admitted, I remember the fear and not knowing what was wrong.
'I'm lucky to be alive but it's so upsetting to think my family were told I might not live. I never realised Legionnaires' disease was so serious and I want to tell my story to make other people aware of the symptoms and the dangers.
'I wouldn't want to think that other people were going off on a holiday unaware of what they could be walking into. If there are issues with the hotel then that needs looking at urgently.
'I feel fortunate to have pulled through. However, I do worry that someone else might not be as lucky as I was.'
Richard and his family paid £2,000 to stay at the four-star hotel. After arriving at the hotel on August 18 last year, Richard said he thought the hotel was dirty, old and dated.
He also noticed that the room felt damp and had grim fusty smell. He said: "I can't specifically pinpoint to one thing but the water temperature fluctuated a lot in the shower. The bathroom and hotel generally looked run down and the sofa in hotel room beneath the air con felt damp throughout the holiday which made me think it was leaking."
Days after returning to the UK, Richard's began suffering from flu-like symptoms. On August 30 he developed chest pains, shortness of breath and a fever and was admitted to hospital.
He spent a month in hospital and has been unable to start a new job as an executive chef that he was due to commence. Richard still continues to struggle with lethargy, weakness and mobility issues linked to Legionnaires' disease.
He has now instructed travel illness lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of his Legionnaires' disease. Jennifer Hodgson, representing Richard, said: 'Richard's first-hand account of his experience at the hotel and contracting his illness is deeply disturbing.
'Legionnaires' disease is an incredibly serious condition, and it can take several days from coming into contact with Legionella bacteria before symptoms of the illness start to appear. As Richard has since discovered, the effects of the disease can be long-term.
'Nothing can make up for the impact the illness has had and continues to have on Richard, but we're determined to provide him with the answers and specialist support he deserves. Public buildings, such as hotels and offices, can have complex water systems, so it's vital that all precautions are taken to prevent the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease developing.
'As part of our work and to assist with our investigations, we would be keen to hear from anyone else who may also have been affected by illness.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Dad-of-two placed into coma after Turkey holiday as chef, 55, ‘caught rare disease from dirty 4-star hotel'
The dad began suffering severe flu-like symptoms and was rushed to hospital HOLS HORROR Dad-of-two placed into coma after Turkey holiday as chef, 55, 'caught rare disease from dirty 4-star hotel' A DAD-OF-TWO has claimed he nearly died after contracting a rare disease from a "dirty" 4-star hotel. Richard Moore, 55, began to suffer from a fever and chest pains after returning from a holiday in Turkey with partner Julie, 50. 6 Richard's family was told he may not survive the harrowing ordeal Credit: SWNS 6 Richard had to be placed into an induced coma Credit: SWNS Richard, a chef, became so ill that he had to be rushed to hospital and placed into an induced coma. His wife and kids were told by medical staff that he may not survive the ordeal. Doctors confirmed he was suffering from potentially deadly Legionnaires' disease, Richard needed five days of intense hospital treatment which included antibiotics and an IV drip. Richard, of Blyth, Northumberland, said: "This holiday was meant to be a short break before I started a new job as an executive chef. "Instead, it cost me my dream job, my health and very nearly my life. "As a result of the memory loss, I can't recall much of my time in hospital, but when I was admitted, I remember the fear and not knowing what was wrong. "I'm lucky to be alive but it's so upsetting to think my family were told I might not live. "I never realised Legionnaires' disease was so serious and I want to tell my story to make other people aware of the symptoms and the dangers. "I wouldn't want to think that other people were going off on a holiday unaware of what they could be walking into. "If there are issues with the hotel then that needs looking at urgently. Mum who nearly died after falling sick in Spain issues warning after anti-sickness pills left her 'acting possessed' "I feel fortunate to have pulled through. However, I do worry that someone else might not be as lucky as I was." Richard and his family paid £2,000 to stay at the four-star Champion Holiday Village in Kemer, Turkey. After arriving at the hotel on August 18 last year, Richard said he thought the hotel was dirty, old and dated. He also noticed that the room felt damp and had a grim fusty smell. 6 He suffered serious flu-like symptoms after returning from his holiday Credit: SWNS 6 Richard was unable to start at a new job because of the illness Credit: SWNS He said: "I can't specifically pinpoint to one thing but the water temperature fluctuated a lot in the shower. "The bathroom and hotel generally looked run down and the sofa in hotel room beneath the air con felt damp throughout the holiday which made me think it was leaking." Days after returning to the UK, Richard began suffering from severe flu-like symptoms. On August 30 he developed chest pains, a shortness of breath and a fever and was rushed to hospital for treatment. He spent a whole month in hospital and has been unable to start at his new job as an executive chef. Richard still struggles with lethargy, weakness and mobility issues linked to Legionnaires' disease. He has now instructed travel illness lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of his Legionnaires' disease. 6 Richard visited Champion Holiday Village in Kemer, Turkey Credit: Champion Holiday Village 6 Richard is now having lawyers investigate the cause of his illness Credit: SWNS Jennifer Hodgson, representing Richard, said: "Richard's first-hand account of his experience at the hotel and contracting his illness is deeply disturbing. "Legionnaires' disease is an incredibly serious condition, and it can take several days from coming into contact with Legionella bacteria before symptoms of the illness start to appear. "As Richard has since discovered, the effects of the disease can be long-term. "Nothing can make up for the impact the illness has had and continues to have on Richard, but we're determined to provide him with the answers and specialist support he deserves. "Public buildings, such as hotels and offices, can have complex water systems, so it's vital that all precautions are taken to prevent the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease developing. "As part of our work and to assist with our investigations, we would be keen to hear from anyone else who may also have been affected by illness whilst staying at the Champion Holiday Village Hotel, Turkey."
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Dad-of-two placed into coma after Turkey holiday as chef, 55, ‘caught rare disease from dirty 4-star hotel'
A DAD-OF-TWO has claimed he nearly died after contracting a rare disease from a "dirty" 4-star hotel. Richard Moore, 55, began to suffer from a fever and chest pains after returning from a holiday in Turkey with partner Julie, 50. 6 6 Richard, a chef, became so ill that he had to be rushed to hospital and placed into an induced coma. His wife and kids were told by medical staff that he may not survive the ordeal. Doctors confirmed he was suffering from potentially deadly Legionnaires' disease, Richard needed five days of intense hospital treatment which included antibiotics and an IV drip. Richard, of Blyth, Northumberland, said: "This holiday was meant to be a short break before I started a new job as an executive chef. "Instead, it cost me my dream job, my health and very nearly my life. "As a result of the memory loss, I can't recall much of my time in hospital, but when I was admitted, I remember the fear and not knowing what was wrong. "I'm lucky to be alive but it's so upsetting to think my family were told I might not live. "I never realised Legionnaires' disease was so serious and I want to tell my story to make other people aware of the symptoms and the dangers. "I wouldn't want to think that other people were going off on a holiday unaware of what they could be walking into. "If there are issues with the hotel then that needs looking at urgently. "I feel fortunate to have pulled through. However, I do worry that someone else might not be as lucky as I was." Richard and his family paid £2,000 to stay at the four-star Champion Holiday Village in Kemer, Turkey. After arriving at the hotel on August 18 last year, Richard said he thought the hotel was dirty, old and dated. He also noticed that the room felt damp and had a grim fusty smell. 6 He said: "I can't specifically pinpoint to one thing but the water temperature fluctuated a lot in the shower. "The bathroom and hotel generally looked run down and the sofa in hotel room beneath the air con felt damp throughout the holiday which made me think it was leaking." Days after returning to the UK, Richard began suffering from severe flu-like symptoms. On August 30 he developed chest pains, a shortness of breath and a fever and was rushed to hospital for treatment. He spent a whole month in hospital and has been unable to start at his new job as an executive chef. Richard still struggles with lethargy, weakness and mobility issues linked to Legionnaires' disease. He has now instructed travel illness lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of his Legionnaires' disease. 6 6 Jennifer Hodgson, representing Richard, said: "Richard's first-hand account of his experience at the hotel and contracting his illness is deeply disturbing. "Legionnaires' disease is an incredibly serious condition, and it can take several days from coming into contact with Legionella bacteria before symptoms of the illness start to appear. "As Richard has since discovered, the effects of the disease can be long-term. "Nothing can make up for the impact the illness has had and continues to have on Richard, but we're determined to provide him with the answers and specialist support he deserves. "Public buildings, such as hotels and offices, can have complex water systems, so it's vital that all precautions are taken to prevent the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease developing. "As part of our work and to assist with our investigations, we would be keen to hear from anyone else who may also have been affected by illness whilst staying at the Champion Holiday Village Hotel, Turkey."
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Japan's Osaka Expo temporarily suspends water shows after high levels of bacteria detected
Popular daily fountain shows and a shallow pool area at Expo 2025 in Osaka have been temporarily suspended due to bacterial contamination that required cleaning and safety checks, the event organisers said on Monday. The aquatic show at the Water Plaza has been suspended since June 4 when legionella bacteria of up to 20 times the legal limit was detected in the water, a week after lower levels of contamination had been found. Another water area, called the Forest of Tranquility — a shallow reservoir over 2.3 hectares (5.7 acres) where visitors can soak their feet and relax — has also been closed for cleaning due to the legionella contamination, which can cause pneumonia. The bacteria contamination is the latest problem hitting the Expo site, where swarms of midges have been bothering visitors for weeks. The venue, built on a former industrial waste burial site in the Osaka Bay in western Japan, where methane gas was detected days before the opening in April. The use of insecticides have so far not effectively blocked the midges. Organizers say they now believe the source of the midges is the Water Plaza and that additional measures are under way, such as installing an insect screen. Organizers have also taken anti-bacterial measures at the water areas, including increased sanitation, cleaning drainage pipes and increasing water circulation, to improve water quality at the reservoir and get approval for a reopening from the health authorities. Hiroyuki Ishige, secretary general of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, said the organizers should have acted more quickly to close down the water area after detecting increased levels of contamination. 'We deeply apologize over the inconveniences we have caused to the visitors who were looking forward to the (water) shows,' Ishige told a media briefing on Monday. Organizers says there has been no reported health issues. The Osaka Expo involves participants from more than 160 countries, regions and organizations who are showcasing their futuristic exhibits. Organizers had expected 28 million visitors through mid-October.
