Latest news with #Hersonissos
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
British holidaymakers with Legionnaires' take legal action
Two British holidaymakers who contracted Legionnaires' disease in Crete are pursuing legal action against their holiday Jobling, 57, from Hull, was put into an induced coma after contracting the lung disease while staying at the Sergios Hotel in the Hersonissos area of the Greek island in June.A month earlier, a 43-year-old woman from South Wales was also taken ill having spent 10 nights at the same hotel, as part of an all-inclusive package bought from easyJet company said the safety of its customers "is a priority" and added there was no confirmation the hotel was the source of the infection, but it had taken the "precautionary step of removing it from sale". Hudgell Solicitors, which is representing the families of both women, said a European public health agency had confirmed "two separate reports of travel-associated Legionnaires' disease" linked to the Sergios firm's Anne Thomson said it was not confirmation the hotel was the source of the infection but it "justifies further questioning of the hotel's management and maintenance alongside the information being gathered from those affected, and their families".Mrs Jobling was on holiday with her husband Sid and another couple, Paula and Nicholas Mason, also from Hull, when she fell was in an induced coma in an intensive care unit at Venizeleio Hospital for two weeks before she was flown home last month and admitted to Hull Royal 57-year-old was subsequently diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), an autoimmune condition, and was transferred to Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, for family have been told it could 12 months or "even longer" to recover, the law firm said. According to Hudgell Solicitors, the woman from South Wales said she became violently sick and was taken to hospital shortly after returning home in May."I was so ill during the first week in hospital that I thought I was going to die," she said."The doctors told me I was so bad that had I been older, and had I not been as fit as I am, it would probably have killed me."The woman said she felt "delusional and had a really high fever" while she was waiting for a diagnosis but has "slowly got better day by day" after being discharged in said she "felt so angry" after hearing of Mrs Jobling's said letters of claim had been issued to easyJet Thomson said there was justification for "a full and transparent investigation into how water systems have been managed and maintained at the hotel, when the systems were last inspected and proved to meet the required standards, and any information the hotel has on reported illnesses of guests staying there since April of this year".An easyJet holidays spokesperson said: "As this is now an ongoing legal case, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."However, the company maintained it "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" as soon as it was made aware of reports of the illness."We also sent communications to all customers who stayed in the hotel and returned home 21 days before we were made aware, confirming UKHSA and NHS guidance," it added. Legionnaires' disease Legionnaires' disease is a lung infection most commonly contracted through the inhalation of water droplets containing legionella is usually caught in places such as hotels, hospitals and office buildings from contaminated air conditioning systems, but it can also be contracted from spa pools and hot include shortness of breath, a high temperature and chest pain or discomfort. The disease can induce pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses, which can be life-threatening.
Telegraph
7 days ago
- Telegraph
British tourist's son defends Crete hotel staff after pool death
The family of a British woman who died in a swimming pool at a hotel in Crete have defended members of hotel staff who were arrested. Margaret Winifred Davies, 78, lost consciousness in the pool of the five-star Knossos Royal in Hersonissos, on the north coast of the island. Initial reports claimed a 21-year-old lifeguard was absent from her post at the time. She was arrested along with the hotel's director, 51, and its general manager, 41, by Greek police and questioned on suspicion of manslaughter by negligence. They were later released without charge. The British tourist's relatives said there were in fact two lifeguards on duty and both of them helped Mrs Davies. She was pulled from the water and received first aid before being taken to hospital, but was pronounced dead. The family insisted the hotel staff were in no way at fault for her death. They confirmed that staff were questioned by police but said no charges had been laid. 'Our 78-year-old mother passed away tragically while on holiday in Crete at the Knossos Royal hotel. While we would have liked to grieve in private, we feel compelled to address some of the misleading reporting that has been published in recent days,' said Paul Davies, her son. 'We are awaiting the results of the autopsy so cannot comment on the cause of death, but we would like to make clear that we do not hold the hotel responsible. Winifred got out of the pool herself and was assisted by two on-duty lifeguards. 'We would like to thank the hotel and the British consulate for their support. We ask that our privacy be respected at this painful time.' In a statement, the Knossos Royal expressed its 'sincere condolences and deepest sympathy' to the family and denied any wrongdoing. 'From the very first moment we were informed about the guest's discomfort, the hotel management responded to the incident with complete responsibility, seriousness, and professionalism, providing immediate assistance, support, and every possible medical aid to her. This response was recognised and appreciated by the family.' Under investigation Hotel managers said the matter was under investigation and the cause of death would be clarified when a forensic report was released. 'According to current medical assessments, the guest's death is attributed to pathological causes, with no indication of external negligence,' their statement said. The hotel occupies a prime position on the northern coast of Crete. Its website says the venue boasts several swimming pools, which are 'designed to appeal to all senses and play an important role in the resort's architectural structure'.
Telegraph
04-08-2025
- Telegraph
British woman who died in Crete swimming pool named
A British woman who died in a hotel swimming pool in Crete has been named as Margaret Winifred Davies. The 78-year-old tourist was staying at the five-star Knossos Royal hotel in the town of Hersonissos when she lost consciousness. She was dragged from the water and received first aid before being taken to hospital, but was pronounced dead. Three people have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by negligence, including a 21-year-old female lifeguard who was supposed to be on duty at the time. The Cretapost website reported that the lifeguard was not at her post at the time of the incident. The hotel's director, 51, and general manager, 41, were also arrested. All three suspects have been released. Safety complaints The hotel occupies a prime position on the northern coast of Crete and promises 'rolling lawns, lush landscaping and impeccable facilities', according to its website. It boasts several swimming pools, which are 'designed to appeal to all senses and play an important role in the resort's architectural structure'. While the hotel generally garners good reviews, one guest on Tripadvisor commented: 'I do feel maybe there should be more proactive safety measures in place of an evening regarding people using the pools late at night. 'That doesn't feel safe to me, that people use the pools for a late night swim and there is no one paying attention to this.' A spokesman for the Knossos Royal told The Telegraph: 'We are not in a position to make any statement.' A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: 'We are supporting the family of a British woman who died in Crete and are in touch with local authorities.' The incident comes after a British tourist was found dead on his sun lounger on a beach near Hersonissos on July 20. The 74-year-old man had lost consciousness shortly after going swimming in the sea on Stalis Beach and was pronounced dead at the scene. Meanwhile, a search for a British woman is continuing after she went missing from a beach in northern Greece. Michele Bourda, 59, is reported to have disappeared while her husband slept on a beach in Kavala. Her family raised the alarm, but police have so far been unable to find her. She had been swimming at midday on Friday and was wearing a two-piece swimsuit featuring rhinestones, as well as yellow beach shoes and red bone-rimmed sunglasses when she went missing. According to local media, she lived with her husband, who is of Greek origin. She had reportedly gone to the beach with him and disappeared while he was sleeping on a deckchair.
Telegraph
04-08-2025
- Telegraph
Hotel owners arrested after British woman dies in pool
Three people have been arrested after a British pensioner died while swimming at a hotel in Crete. The 78-year-old female tourist, who has not been named, had been staying in Hersonissos, a popular resort town in the north of the Greek island. She was dragged from the water and received first aid before being taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead, according to local media reports. Three people have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by negligence, including the 21-year-old lifeguard who was supposed to be on duty at the time. The Cretapost reported that the lifeguard was not at their post at the time of the incident. The hotel's director, 51, and general manager, 41, were also arrested. All three suspects have been released on bail. The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment. It comes just after a British tourist was found dead on his sun lounger on a beach near to Hersonissos on July 20. The 74-year-old man had lost consciousness after going swimming in the sea on Stalis Beach and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Sun
04-08-2025
- The Sun
Brit tourist, 78, found dead in swimming pool in Crete as three including 21-year-old lifeguard arrested
A 78-year-old Brit has been found dead in a swimming pool in Crete. Three people have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter including a 21-year-old lifeguard who was supposed to be on duty at the time. Emergency services were rushed to the the hotel pool in Hersonissos yesterday afternoon. But despite medics' best efforts the woman was pronounced dead in hospital. 1
