A British father tragically lost his life after contracting salmonella during a family holiday in the Canary Islands last year. Leslie Green, 70, and his wife Julie arrived at the four-star Occidental Jandia Playa resort in Fuerteventura on October 1, 2024.
The £2,300 trip was meant to celebrate their birthdays, but just eight days later, on October 9, Leslie fell ill. His symptoms began with diarrhea, leading to severe dehydration and rapid deterioration.
Despite seeing the resort doctor on October 12 and being taken to a local clinic for fluids, Leslie’s condition worsened. He was admitted to the hospital the next day, where he was diagnosed with salmonella.
While in hospital Leslie developed severe complications, including kidney failure, pneumonia, and sepsis – a life-threatening condition where the body’s response to infection attacks its own tissues. Doctors placed him in an induced coma, but his health continued to decline. On November 4, just hours after his life-support machine was turned off, Leslie passed away.
Julie and their daughter Becci, 35, were present in Fuerteventura during Leslie’s final moments. Their eldest daughter, Sarah, 38, who is battling end-stage kidney failure, was unable to travel due to her own critical condition.
Leslie’s body was flown back to the UK a week later. A post-mortem examination was conducted on November 18, but the results remain pending.
Julie, a retired NHS assistant nurse, has raised concerns about the resort’s food safety practices, including lukewarm carbonara sauce, undercooked chicken, and staff failing to follow proper hygiene practices, such as handwashing and separating fresh food from older dishes.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Julie said, “I soon realised it wasn’t just a 24-hour bug. A few days later, Leslie was in the hospital, and then I fell ill too. I was lucky my condition wasn’t as severe, but seeing him in those final days was unbearable. He looked so frail, and I felt helpless. Saying goodbye to him and watching his life slip away is something I’ll never get over.”
Julie described Leslie as “one of the good guys” – a kind, gentle man who adored his family, enjoyed keeping fish, playing darts and pool, and cheering on his football team, Bury FC. “We had so many plans for our retirement, and now they’ve been taken away in the cruellest way. I feel robbed and deserve answers.”
Jennifer Hodgson, an international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Julie, emphasised the severity of the situation: “This is deeply concerning, particularly as other guests from the same resort have reported similar experiences. The impact of salmonella and other gastric illnesses should never be underestimated, as Leslie’s tragic case shows.”
Hodgson confirmed an ongoing investigation into the resort’s practices and expressed a commitment to securing answers and support for Julie and others affected. She also warned prospective travelers, especially those visiting Fuerteventura during the winter sun season, to exercise caution.
“If our investigation identifies any failings, swift action must be taken to prevent other holidaymakers from falling ill,” Hodgson added. “It’s also crucial that anyone with similar concerns is provided with the support they need.”
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