A British couple claimed their honeymoon was ruined when they both became unwell after arriving at a five-star resort in Turkey.
Terry, 35, and Sarah Hawkins, 32, travelled to Rixos Sungate resort in Antalya, Turkey, on May 29 with their children Ashton, 11, and seven-month-old Imogen.
They booked their holiday through tour operator TUI, but less than 24 hours after arriving Sarah started to feel unwell with diarrhoea, stomach cramps, sweats and vomiting.
She became dehydrated and struggled to breast-feed Imogen, reports the Liverpool Echo.
By that evening, Terry was suffering similar symptoms and also began passing blood. Soon after they fell ill, the pair were visited by a doctor at the resort.
They were given antibiotics and Sarah was put on an IV drip. Due to their illness and concerns over their children falling ill, the family returned to the UK three days early on June 6. When they got home, Terry and Sarah saw a GP and samples were taken.
Terry said: "We'd spent a long time researching where to honeymoon and we were so excited as it got closer. We were particularly looking forward to celebrating with our children on our first big family holiday at what was supposed to be a luxury hotel.
"But early into the holiday, Sarah became really unwell, which was really worrying as she was still breastfeeding. Then that same evening I fell ill. It got so bad that Sarah ended up on an IV drip, which was terrifying especially for the kids to see.
"It felt like we were stuck in our hotel room for most of our stay, which was awful, and we were so worried that the kids would get it, we ended up flying home early.
"We're still not well, and so angry and upset at what we've been through. I also had to have time off work as I was so unwell, and I still have not fully recovered."
Alongside other holidaymakers who also reported becoming unwell while staying at the Turkish resort, the couple from Huyton, Merseyside, have now instructed specialist international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how they fell ill and take legal action on their behalf.
It comes after Liam Garnett from Manchester spoke out on suffering similar symptoms in April this year. He had travelled to the Rixos Sungate resort with his partner Gabrielle and two children, who also fell ill.
Liam ended up needing medical treatment, including an IV drip. On his return home Liam had a sample taken, which reportedly tested positive for the bacterial infection salmonella.
It is claimed more than 130 holidaymakers, including over 50 children, allegedly fell ill at the five-star hotel and have instructed specialist lawyers Irwin Mitchell to investigate.
Terry also claimed there were issues with the food at the resort, he added: "It's scary to hear how many other people have been unwell. There were times when the food was visibly undercooked, which really isn't something you would expect from a resort like this.
"All we want now are some answers. Our honeymoon was completely ruined and it's the least we deserve."
Following their return to the UK, Terry and Sarah are still unwell.
Jatinder Paul, a specialist international serious injury solicitor at Irwin Mitchell representing the growing group of holidaymakers, said: "We've now been contacted by more than 130 people who have suffered serious gastric illness while holidaying at the Rixos Sungate in Turkey, which is very worrying.
"What's deeply concerning is that many of those affected are children and there are several cases of salmonella which is particularly dangerous for the most vulnerable such as children and the elderly. Terry and Sarah are among those who have instructed us and it’s horrible to hear the first-hand account of the ordeal they went through, particularly as they had booked the holiday to celebrate their honeymoon.
"Instead, the whole break turned into a nightmare and the pair understandably want answers as to how they became so unwell at a five-star resort. We're now looking into it, and if during the course of our investigations any issues are identified, it's vital that lessons are learned to prevent others from falling ill in the future."
TUI said it is one of many booking providers for the Rixos Sungate in Antalya, which accommodates 1,800 guests from all over the world. It said guests whose holiday has been impacted by illness at the Rixos hotel are being contacted directly by the TUI UK team, but it is unable to give details of specific customer cases due to privacy and confidentiality.
A TUI spokesperson told the ECHO: "We were very concerned to hear of a small number of cases at Rixos Sungate in Turkey, as the health and safety of our customers is our highest priority. As this is now a legal matter, we are unable to comment on specific cases."
The Mirror has contacted Rixos, which is part of Accor, for comment.
