A British pensioner has sadly died from kidney failure after catching norovirus while on a dream cruise with his wife.
Alan Forster was making the most of the month-long P&O voyage aboard the Arcadia with his wife, Dianna, when he began suffering diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and vomiting. Mr Forster was confined to his cabin and was hospitalised once the ship reached Canada.
Tragically his condition deteriorated and he later died of kidney failure. A norovirus outbreak has now been confirmed by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, with nearly 100 passengers affected by the illness.
Speaking to the Mirror, his heartbroken widow Dianna said: “I blame myself. If it wasn’t for me, he’d still be here. It was me who wanted to go on the cruise. 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. 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.”
The 79-year-old continued: “There were announcements 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.”
His bereaved family, including wife Dianna and 47 year old twin sons John and Iain, have engaged legal services firm Irwin Mitchell for an probe into the circumstances of his death.
Jatinder Paul, a specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing the family, 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 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.”
A spokesperson for P&O Cruises expressed their condolences, saying: ”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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