The family of a British woman who died days after falling ill while staying in Cape Verde has appointed lawyers.
Part-time nurse Elena Walsh, 64, became sick a week into a 12-night family holiday at the RIU Cabo Verde resort in Sal.
The family, which was celebrating Elena’s husband’s birthday and their son’s engagement, flew out on 1 August. Elena began feeling unwell on the afternoon of Friday 8 August, experiencing symptoms including sickness, diarrhoea, and heavy sweats.
After being assessed by a nurse, Elena was taken to a local clinic before being transferred to hospital. She died on the morning of 10 August.
Her husband Patrick, who was also taken ill, has appointed no-win no-fee lawyers Irwin Mitchell to investigate Elena’s death. He said: “By the Saturday morning, she was so weak that she had to be helped into a wheelchair to be taken from our room and into a taxi to go to the nearby clinic.
“The care she received felt chaotic and we felt like we were in the dark around what was happening, despite asking for updates.
“After hours of trying to treat her, they suddenly told us Elena’s organs were failing and there was nothing they could do for her.
“We’re absolutely devastated by Elena’s death. It has absolutely broken us as a family and one of the hardest things to try to come to terms with is the sudden and distressing way in which we lost her while we were supposed to be enjoying a family holiday, which was celebrating my 60th birthday and my son getting engaged.”
He said he had concerns about hygiene standards at the hotel.
Irwin Mitchell serious injury lawyer Jatinder Paul said Elena’s family has ‘a number of questions about how she contracted her illness and the care she received in Cape Verde’.
The law firm is representing more than 1,500 UK holidaymakers to Cape Verde who have fallen ill over the last three years, including over 200 at the RIU Cabo Verde.
In addition, a group of people who stayed at the RIU Cabo Verde around the same time as the Elena have also instructed Irwin Mitchell to investigate.
Jatinder added: “We continue to hear too many concerning reports of people falling ill at all-inclusive resorts across Cape Verde, including the RIU Cabo Verde.”
An inquest into Elena’s death is expected to be held at a later date.
Travel Gossip has approached RIU and TUI for a comment.
