Woman sues over Egypt 'holiday from hell'

A Shropshire woman is one of more than 80 people suing a travel firm for thousands of pounds after she fell ill on a "holiday from hell".

Michelle Curtis, from Telford, is seeking compensation after she spent much of her holiday in Egypt in her hotel room.

She is among a group of 84 holidaymakers who have served a High Court writ on Tui Travel Plc, trading as First Choice Holidays and Flights Ltd.

They all stayed at the Village Red Sea in Sharm el Sheikh on dates between May 2008 and February last year and their claims total more than £60,000.

Mrs Curtis, 42, who lives at James Way in Donnington, was one of a number of people who claim they developed gastro-intestinal illness while staying at the hotel.

She had travelled to the resort with her partner, Nick Williams, 43, on June 12 2008 after paying £1,050 between them for the two-week trip.

Mrs Curtis said: "On the 16th, I started with diarrhoea. That was it for the rest of the holiday, I was so ill.

"I went out to the beach, I didn't want to spoil the holiday for my partner but I had to go back to the room.

"Nick was going to phone an ambulance because I was in so much pain.

"I said I didn't want to go to the hospital but I went to a doctor and they gave me some tablets."

She said: "We stayed really close to the complex after I was ill. The illness was a holiday from hell."

Mrs Curtis, whose claim is for damages of £527, said other guests were also ill while she was out there but her partner was fine.

She said they complained to holiday reps but they said there was nothing they could do.

According to the writ other claimants tested positive for bacterial infection, such as salmonella.

They claim the holiday firm, its suppliers, their servants and/or agents were negligent for a number of reasons.

They include claims that food was not cooked properly or stored at the right temperature and the hotel swimming pool was not kept reasonable clean and properly chlorinated.

A First Choice spokesman said: "The health and well being of our customers is of paramount importance to First Choice. We are concerned to learn of any alleged illness in any of our properties.

"However, as the matter in question is currently subject to a legal process, it would be inappropriate of us to comment any further at this time." The complex continued to be a "very popular resort," he added.

By Lisa Rowley