Couple's wedding day ruined after ENTIRE party falls ill on holiday
Stock photo: Rex
A couple whose wedding day was 'ruined' by illness are still being refused compensation - two years later.
Chris Ward had to delay his wedding to wife Kerry as he spent three days on a drip in hospital after allegedly being struck down by food poisoning.
The Wards flew to the Riu Bachata hotel in the Dominican Republic with Thomson in 2010 and, what was supposed to be the best holiday of their lives turned to disaster as 25 of the 26 people in their wedding party came down with gastric illnesses, including symptoms like diarrhoea, stomach cramps and lethargy.
The groom and 15 of his friends who have still not been compensated, will now have to appeal through the courts.
Chris said he started feeling ill on the second day of the trip, telling Wigan Today: "What should have been the holiday of our dreams, turned into an absolute nightmare. We had to delay our wedding for days because I was in hospital.
"I had lost so much weight that my suit looked like it was falling off me.
"There were so many signs of how it could have been caused. We would see chefs just microwaving food that need to be oven-cooked.
"There was one instance where there was a chef in the toilet who just left without washing his hands.
"I can't believe some of our party have had their cases settled while others haven't."
Mrs Ward added:"It was just embarrassing for us that our wedding guests had to point out dead flies in the food and on serving spoons to staff."
Travel law firm Irwin Mitchell has been asked to represent 39 people who fell ill after staying at the hotel, including people from other parties.
Spokesman for the company Suki Chhokar said: "What happened at the Riu Bachata is totally unacceptable.
"Serious illness not only ruined the holiday for 39 guests, it ruined wedding celebrations and has caused significant illness which is still affecting people now. Sadly this is not an isolated incident.
"While the tour operator has settled the claims of some of the guests, Thomson is refusing to take responsibility for the illness of 19 guests, 10 of whom are still suffering symptoms two years on. Given that liability remains in dispute we now have no choice but to issue court proceedings."
The holiday firm has yet to comment on the case.
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