Brits 'struck down by stomach bug' at Dominican Republic resort

A group of British tourists have launched legal action against Thomson Holidays after claiming that some members were hit with a stomach bug at a resort in the Dominican Republic and suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Dirk Ord spent two days in hospital on a drip with his friend Stephen Robson, who also fell ill during their holiday at the four-star Dreams Resort and Spa in Punta Cana in 2012.

Mr Ord claims that his son Owen, nine, was so traumatised by the illness that he developed a phobia of using the toilet.

Speaking to the Chronicle Live, he said: "At one point I was so ill I didn't think I'd make it through, it was scary.

"Owen is just a young lad who has been badly affected by what's happened."

Mr Robson suffered vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and fever, six days into his trip. Seven other holidaymakers also fell ill.

The Daily Mail reports that the group visited their GPs when they returned to the UK and some claim they have developed food intolerances.

Mr Ord said: "I can't have a Chinese meal or anything spicy. Owen has been affected mentally by what happened. He's forever washing his hands."

The cause of their illness has not been determined but Mr Ord believes it may have been meat they had eaten at the resort and claims food at the buffet was exposed to flies and that chilled dishes were not refrigerated properly.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell is representing the group in the case against TUI UK Ltd.

A Thomson spokesman told the Daily Mail: "We are sorry to hear of Mr Ord and Mr Robson's experience at the Dreams Resort and Spa in 2012.

"As we understand this is now subject to legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."

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