A pensioner has told of how he was in a month-long coma after contracting Legionnaires' disease during a “nightmare” Jet2 package holiday to Benidorm.
David Marshall, 79, said he might not recover from the severe form of pneumonia and said it may have been caused by a faulty air conditioning unit.
The retired union official went to the Spanish seaside resort with his wife, Dorothy, and daughter-in-law in July 2020 for a “much-needed break” following the first lockdown.
When he arrived he was told there wasn't a lot of staff due to low occupancy.
He said he also found the fan in his room was noisy and dripped with water.
David said he then experienced confusion, a productive cough, shortness of breath, kidney pains, diarrhoea and vomiting.
He was rushed to Blackburn Hospital upon landing back in England and was placed in a coma for a month.
David said he has been suffering long-term health issues since the holiday and has a legal team investigating how his illness had “changed his life”.
He said: “This holiday was meant to be a much-needed break after what had been a difficult time during the lockdown. However, it turned into a nightmare.
“My family were scared that I wouldn’t survive. It saddens me that they were put through such an ordeal while I was in a coma."
David booked the two-week getaway at the four-star Hotel Presidente in Benidorm through Jet2 Holidays.
He said he became unwell during the second week of the trip after noticing that the air conditioning unit in his room was noisy and dripped fluid.
Jennifer Hodgson, the specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing David, said air conditioning units are often responsible for the viral illness.
She said: “Legionnaires’ Disease can lead to long-term illness and sadly can even prove fatal.
“Water systems and air conditioning units, that have lain dormant for several months, can be ideal breeding grounds for the bacteria, which causes the disease.”
When David returned to the UK, he was taken to the emergency unit of Blackburn hospital, where he was diagnosed with Legionella Pneumonia and placed in a coma for a month.
He spent a total of six weeks in hospital and continues to suffer from breathlessness, while also losing more than four stones.
David said: “I was so unwell towards the end of the holiday, and I was desperate to get home before it was too late.
"I’m lucky to still be here, but I want to find out how this happened. I’ve never been the same since the illness. It’s changed my life.
“My memory isn’t what it was and I’m now easily out of breath. However, in a way I know I’m lucky, as things could have been much worse.
He added: “Right now, I’m taking one day at a time, but it’s devastating to think I might not make a full recovery and that my health might be permanently damaged.
“I think answers are the least that I deserve and more people need to be aware of the risks of Legionnaires’, and that it is still a very real danger.”
David has told his legal team that he believes that the hotel had re-opened just days before he arrived, after being closed for several months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
And Ms Hodgson agreed that David’s “terrible experience” should be investigated further.
She said: “David has undergone a terrible experience and unfortunately he is still living with various health issues following his illness.
“This includes suffering from memory loss and breathlessness.
“We have supported many people who have developed Legionnaires’ Disease, both abroad and in the UK, and know only too well how dangerous the health implications of this disease can be.
“We’re now investigating how David contracted his illness, which includes looking into his stay at the Hotel Presidente and is determined to provide him with the answers and ongoing support that he needs.
“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 Hotel Presidente, Benidorm.
“Following an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease, it’s vital that the source is identified as soon as possible.
“If any members of the public start experiencing any symptoms, it’s crucial that they seek immediate medical advice.”
A Jet2 andJet2holidays spokesperson said: “We are sorry to hear about Mr Marshall’s experience and we wish him a full recovery.
"As lawyers have been instructed, it would be inappropriate for us to make any further comment at this time.”
