A woman whose mum died after falling ill on a five-star holiday says her family may never get the answers they need.
Jane Pressley travelled to the five-star Riu Palace Hotel in Cape Verde with her husband Michael in November last year, but the couple both fell ill within days of arriving. Jane never recovered and was hospitalised in the UK. Within two weeks she had died, leaving behind two grieving daughters and devastated grandchildren.
Speaking to the Mirror, daughter Lucy Ambrose said she didn't think they'll ever get the answers as her mum was cremated and the family didn't agree with the cause of death given on her death certificate.
Jane, who was looking forward to the imminent birth of her fourth grandchild, had booked the two-week holiday through tour operator TUI UK Ltd to celebrate her 62nd birthday. Just two days in, Jane (who had a pre-existing condition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) fell ill with gastric and flu-like symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea.
Michael also became unwell but recovered within a week, while Jane's symptoms continued. After getting back to the UK, Jane was taken to Lincoln County Hospital on Christmas Eve due to her deteriorating condition. The doctors treating Jane suspected that she had a bacterial infection so she was administered antibiotics. She died on January 5.
Following Jane's death, her husband Michael, a 62-year-old food production operative, instructed specialist international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate. The law firm is also representing more than 350 others who fell seriously ill at the same hotel in 2022.
According to Irwin Mitchell, the death certificate confirmed Jane's cause of death to be 'infective exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease'.
Jane, who was a care assistant from Gainsborough, leaves two daughters, Lucy Ambrose, 37, who is set to become a nurse in September, and Porcia Stow, 30, a customer advisor. At the time of Jane’s death, Porcia was pregnant with her first child.
Lucy told the Mirror: "My mum should still be here today, we did our research after she died and found other people had been ill too. I want something to be done so that this doesn't happen to anyone else. She didn't have an inquest and the death certificate said COPD, but she's been cremated now so we don't think we will ever know.
"My mum really was, I know it's cliche, but she really was the best mum that you could ask for, she was funny, full of life, my friends were like her daughters too. I'm lost without her, we would speak every day without fail. I still text her but I don't get a reply and my son does the same.
"I don't think we will ever find the reason for her death because she's been cremated, but I want to help someone not go and their family not go through what we are still going through. This was a five star hotel, you wouldn't expect this to happen. I'm not going to give up and let this be brushed away, my mum deserves to be here and would be pushing me to find out the answers."
Jatinder Paul, international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: "The first-hand account we’ve heard from Michael regarding the illness he and Jane suffered during their holiday is deeply concerning. While Michael began to feel better within the first week, Jane’s illness continued and she sadly passed away in hospital less than a month after returning home from their holiday.
"We’re representing more than 350 others who fell seriously ill at this hotel in 2022. Therefore this latest development is of significant concern. The impact of such illnesses should never be downplayed as they can lead to long-term health issues and in some cases can prove fatal.
"While nothing will ever make up for Michael’s loss, we’re now investigating how he and Jane fell ill and the events leading up to Jane’s death. If during the course of our investigation any issues are identified, it’s vital that lessons are learned to prevent other holidaymakers from falling ill, or worse, in the future."
A TUI spokeswoman said: "Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the Pressley family. As this is now a legal matter, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further."