A father-of-two died after becoming seriously ill when he contracted norovirus while on a cruise in October. Alan Forster from Paignton, Devon, was struck down with the illness just two weeks into a dream voyage from Southampton to New York with his wife Dianna.
The retired teacher, who also had four grandchildren, suffered diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting before going into suspected kidney failure and passing away. Despite raising the alarm about his symptoms earlier, Dianna said she was given no assistance in dealing with Alan’s symptoms, with the 77-year-old only transferred to the ship’s medical facility after she “refused to take no for an answer”.
The Mirror reports the couple’s two sons have since instructed lawyers to pursue a case. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed there was an outbreak of norovirus on board the P&O Arcadia Cruise, with almost 100 other passengers reporting symptoms and many others confined to their cabins.
His wife of 54 years Dianna said: “Alan was the most loving husband and dad. We were looking forward to many more years together but that’s been taken away in the cruellest of ways. We couldn’t wait to board the Arcadia and start our holiday.
“We’d been on 47 cruises before and had planned more for the future. It’s less than two months since we lost him and every day since then has been filled with grief and pain. I still can’t – and don’t want to – accept my beloved husband is gone. It was me who wanted to go on the cruise. I blame myself. If it wasn’t for me, he’d still be here.”
When Alan’s initial symptoms worsened, Dianna informed staff on board, but said nurses did nothing more than life him back into bed after he had collapsed and instruct her to stay in her cabin The 79-year-old explained: “Alan was in good spirits and health before the cruise. Alan is not one to normally complain, so when he said he felt unwell I knew something was very wrong and it was more than just an upset stomach.
“There were announcements that there was norovirus on the ship, so we suspected it must be that and he would get any medical help he needed. It took many long and traumatic days of being quarantined in our room for the nurses to come and see Alan, and even then they didn’t do anything outside of lifting him back into bed.
“I tried to raise the alarm several times but I was shouted at and told to get back into my room. It was not until his symptoms became critical and I refused to take no for an answer, that he was finally taken to the medical centre.”
Alan was eventually transferred to hospital in Saint John, Canada, after the ship docked there as his kidneys had started to fail, but tragically died. Following the involvement of the couple’s sons John and Iain, both 47, the situation is now being investigated by lawyers from Irwin Mitchell.
Jatinder Paul, the expert international serious injury lawyer at the firm, said: “Alan and Dianna were regular cruise-goers and were really looking forward to setting sail on the Arcadia. But it wasn’t long before Alan fell ill.
“What we’ve heard from Dianna about an outbreak on the cruise ship and how Alan deteriorated so quickly is deeply concerning. Norovirus is a particularly unpleasant illness that can lead to serious health conditions such as kidney failure.
“Following an outbreak of norovirus it’s vital that investigations are carried out on the failings on board the cruise ship as well as the delays with getting Alan the medical treatment he needed. While there’s nothing that can change what happened, we’re now investigating and are determined to get Dianna, John and Iain the answers they deserve.”
Dianna added: “Not for one minute did I think I was going to lose him. Even when my son flew over to bring us home, I still couldn’t comprehend that Alan might not make it with us.
“All we want now is some answers to help understand what happened and what can be done to prevent this horrendous and ongoing ordeal from happening to anyone else.”
A spokesperson for P&O Cruises said: ”We were sorry to receive a legal letter informing us of the death of Mr Forster and making a claim for compensation. We will investigate the matters alleged and respond as appropriate once the investigation has been completed.”
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