British father, 70, died after eating half-cooked chicken at luxury four-star resort in Fuerteventura to celebrate his birthday
Leslie Green, 70, from Little Lever, Bolton, had jetted out on a £2,300 holiday to the Occidental Jandia Playa resort in Fuerteventura last year to celebrate his 70th birthday when he was struck down with salmonella.
The grandfather-of-one and former newspaper delivery driver was in his second week of the trip, which he had joyfully spent basking in the sun, before falling ill on October 9.
Mr Green was admitted to a nearby hospital in the hope of receiving treatment and being released, but he developed complications including sepsis and kidney failure before tragically dying four weeks later from devastating multi-organ failure.
An inquest has now found that his death was as a result of eating undercooked chicken at the resort, which also left his wife of 38 years, Julie, seriously ill on the day of her own birthday.
Mrs Green, who herself spent a week in hospital after contracting salmonella when eating from the buffet, said they had been concerned over a carbonara sauce they were served one day being lukewarm.
She also claimed that staff at the resort, which looks out onto the sea, were not washing their hands and would mix newly cooked food in with items that had been stood.
Three days after his initial feelings of sickness, Mr Green visited the in-resort doctor before being taken by ambulance to the local clinic where he was given fluids to combat dehydration.
However, his condition did not improve and the 70-year-old was taken to hospital the next day - where he was eventually placed into an induced coma before doctors said they could do nothing more.
Mr Green's life support machine was switched off on November 4 and he died just hours later. His body was repatriated the following week.
Mrs Green told the hearing that it was 'impossible to find the words' to convey her grief at losing her 'best friend' and a 'loving and caring husband and dad'.
She said: '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.
'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.
Mrs Green (right) who herself spent a week in hospital after contracting salmonella while eating from the buffet, said they had been concerned over a carbonara sauce they were served one day being lukewarm
'I just hope that by speaking out I can prevent anyone else suffering like Leslie did. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.'
Jennifer Hodgson, a lawyer representing Mrs Green, 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.'
The Daily Mail has approached the Occidental Jandia Playa for comment.
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