THE family of a Scot who died after apparently contracting Legionnaires’ disease on holiday in Bulgaria is taking legal action against a tour operator.
John Cowan, 43, of Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, died on June 19 after falling ill at the Hotel Kalofer in the country’s Sunny Beach resort. He died in hospital a week after returning home. The causes of his death were listed as septic shock and Legionella pneumonia.
Cowan’s family is launching a civil action against Jet2 after it emerged others are believed to have been struck with the same virus at the hotel. The tour operator said two customers died while a third person affected was not a customer.
Cowan’s brother Barry, 41, said: “We are all devastated. We just want answers – to know why this happened, to know it will never happen to anyone else and to know why the tour operator and the hotel have done nothing to help.”
Legionnaires’ disease is contracted by inhaling small droplets of water in the air that contain Legionella bacteria. Jet2 said it has been investigating and has transferred all customers and bookings for the summer to other hotels.
A spokesman said: “Sadly, we can confirm two customers recently passed away shortly after returning to the UK from holiday in Bulgaria.
“We would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to their families at this very difficult time and we have been in constant contact to offer all the assistance and support that we can. The health and safety of our customers is our absolute priority.”
He added: “In response, and to support our investigation, two independent specialists were instructed to take samples from the hotel and an accredited laboratory conducted testing of the water samples for any contamination.
“The results of all their tests were negative. We will continue to assist the local authorities in their investigations as required. Despite these results we have taken further precautionary measures, like other UK tour operators at the hotel.
“We have transferred all customers and all bookings for this summer to other hotels, and we have also put a stop on sales to the affected hotel for summer 2019 and summer 2020.”
Mark Gibson, head of the foreign and travel team at Digby Brown Solicitors, said: “We are currently investigating a claim that a man died as a result of legionnaires poisoning at a hotel in Bulgaria. As the case is at an early stage it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
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