Family's holiday turns into nightmare as kids hospitalised with food poisoning

25 May 2024 , 14:18
968     0
Melissa Pickering, 30, claims she was forced to shell out £1,000 on hospital bills, medication and ‘emergency’ flights home after her boys became ill (Image: MEN Media)
Melissa Pickering, 30, claims she was forced to shell out £1,000 on hospital bills, medication and ‘emergency’ flights home after her boys became ill (Image: MEN Media)

A mum from Manchester and her family experienced the holiday from hell after they fell sick from food poisoning in Rhodes, Greece.

Melissa Pickering, 30, claims she was forced to shell out £1,000 on hospital bills, medication and emergency flights home after her husband and two young boys, seven and five, became severely ill whilst staying at Labranda Blue Bay Resort. The mum, who works as an auxiliary nurse, said she booked the all-inclusive holiday ahead of an operation she is undergoing, hoping it would be a chance to spend quality time as a family before her hospital stay.

However, everything turned disastrous only four days into the holiday, reports . The mum-of-two said: “It’s been a nightmare. Our family holiday was wrecked. I've spent nearly £1,000 on medication and flights. The holiday was nearly £4,000. We decided to go away for some family time and it turned into a disaster. We only had four days of happiness. It was so scary.”

Family's holiday turns into nightmare as kids hospitalised with food poisoning eiqtiqhihzprwThe mum from Manchester said the dream family holiday turned into a 'nightmare' (MEN Media)

Only a few days into their family trip her two boys Harry, seven, and Billy, five, suddenly fell sick but showed symptoms of food poisoning. She told MEN that her boys were lethargic and sleeping all the time and not waking up as well as looking drained in colour and bringing up any liquids they had.

Melissa claims that four days after the family arrived, both of her sons were admitted to the hospital and remained there on drips for two nights. She claims staff at the hospital confirmed it was food poisoning. Once hospitalised both her sons were kept at the hospital for treatment including drips. Whilst Melissa was paying the 300 euro medical bill, a doctor rushed to tell her that her husband Bradley, 28 had collapsed.

Brit 'saw her insides' after being cut open by propeller on luxury diving tripBrit 'saw her insides' after being cut open by propeller on luxury diving trip

Melissa said: “It was horrendous. I was panicking. I was just so scared. My son Billy was screaming.” Her husband also ended up on a drip for several hours. After being discharged from the hospital and returning to the hotel but became ill again and had to once again be seen by emergency doctors. Melissa said they were all drinking boiling water or having ice but once the children ate chicken everything started again.

Family's holiday turns into nightmare as kids hospitalised with food poisoningMelissa, from Oldham, says her family has been left ‘traumatised’ (MEN Media)

The family were meant to be staying at the hotel for two weeks, from May 11 until May 25, but flew home on Wednesday (May 22). Melissa said she spent an additional £700 on flights to get her family home as it had become a matter of “safety” and her children were “terrified” and wanted to go home.

She claims she has been unable to get a refund from On The Beach as the hotel does not offer refunds. On the Beach describes the hotel as having an Italian restaurant, a Greek taverna and a beachside brunch at guests’ "fingertips." The resort has a 4 out of five-star ranking on Tripadvisor.

After being contacted by MEN, an On the Beach spokesperson said: “We’re sorry that the Webb family were unwell on their holiday. We haven't been contacted since their return home a few days ago, so we'll get in touch with the Webbs directly to investigate."

Mariam Khan

Food poisoning, Family holidays, Hospitals, Tripadvisor

Read more similar news:

01.01.2023, 10:07 • World News
Cowboy gored to death by bull in New Year's Eve rodeo tragedy
01.01.2023, 10:56 • UK News
Inside WW1 military hospital abandoned for decades before new lease of life
01.01.2023, 13:13 • Crime
Children among nine killed in New Year stampede panic at shopping mall
01.01.2023, 15:14 • Lifestyle
Covid virus can be cut to pieces by molecular 'scissors' in drugs to protect us
01.01.2023, 15:28 • Showbiz
Strictly star Saffron Barker's brother in hospital after 'major heart attack'
01.01.2023, 16:13 • Crime
Rowdy revellers storm fence to break into sold-out New Year's Eve firework event
01.01.2023, 16:32 • Crime
Two men stabbed outside nightclub in early morning New Year's Day horror attack
01.01.2023, 17:14 • Crime
Woman sexually assaulted by intruder at care home in sick New Year's Day attack
01.01.2023, 20:11 • Politics
Mystic Mag's 2023 predictions include strikes, sleaze, self pity and separation
01.01.2023, 20:46 • Politics
NHS in crisis as 500 people die each week due 'killer' to emergency care delays