A widow whose husband drowned while snorkeling on holiday is calling for lessons to be learned after lawyers secured her a settlement. Dad-of-two Roy Fawcett, 58, was found unresponsive in the sea in October 2017 during on an all-inclusive holiday holiday in the Dominican Republic.
Despite efforts to save him, the project manager was pronounced dead in hospital the same day. His widow Sue, 60, launched a legal case against travel company TUI following an inquest.
TUI denied liability for Roy's death - but agreed an undisclosed six-figure out of court settlement just says before the case was heard at the High Court. Sue and her team of specialist international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have warned holidaymakers of holiday excursions.
Sue said: “While it’s more than five years since Roy’s death, the hurt and pain is as strong now as it was then. I lost my husband and best friend who I thought I would grow old with. There’s not a day goes by where I don’t think of Roy and get upset that he’s no longer in our lives.
“We had so many hopes and plans for the future and it’s difficult not to think these were snatched away from us. Birthdays and family occasions are particularly difficult and just not the same without Roy by my side.
"I’d do anything to have Roy back but I know that’s not possible. Before signing up to anything I’d urge all holidaymakers to make sure they know who’s organising any trips and what safety measures are in place.
“I can’t turn the clock back but by speaking out I just hope that I can raise awareness of what we’ve been through to potentially help others.”
Sue and Roy had booked the trip to the Dominican Republic's Paradise Island two days before the end of their all-inclusive holiday.
While Sue stayed in the shallows, Roy went into deeper waters snorkeling with another group including tourists, but was later spotted face down and not moving. Members of the party helped get Roy onto the beach, from where he was taken by boat to the mainland and then hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Sue said that she and Roy only booked the trip under the impression it was provided by TUI - but the tour operator argued the excursion didn’t form part of their package. Irwin Mitchell's specialist international serious injury lawyer Nicola Heathcote said: "Sue and the rest of her family have faced an incredibly difficult few years trying to come to terms with the loss of Roy in such tragic circumstances.
“Understandably they’ve had a number of concerns about what happened to Roy with the inquest also finding areas of concern. While nothing can make up for Roy’s death and the hurt and pain Sue has endured, we’re pleased to have secured this settlement.
"We hope this provides Roy’s family with a sense of closure and allows them to access the specialist support they require to try and come to terms with what happened the best they can. Excursions can be a great way to enjoy a holiday but as in Roy’s case can end in devastation.
"Therefore, it’s vital that lessons are learned from what happened to Roy to improve holiday safety for others.”
