Mother who suffered food poisoning on holiday said diarrhoea left her ‘fearing for her life’

By William On Dec 6, 2022

A British mother-of-one has claimed that she suffered food poisoning during a luxury Dominican Republic which left her with vicious diarrhoea that saw her fearing for her life and has said that she is ’embarrassed’ to go out due to her toilet urges.

Samantha Broadbent, 49, an administrator from Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, was on holiday at Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort- a partner hotel of holiday firm TUI with son Ben. They went away on 7 August to celebrate him finishing primary school.

But on the day they were due to fly home from their £4,500 trip, 21 August, she claims that she began to experience painful cramps and vicious diarrhoea- and she was worried she would be in hospital 3,000 miles from home.

Although they made their flight, Samantha’s condition deteriorated and she spent 48 hours in hospital when they got home after Ben called an ambulance. She claims that doctors told her she had contracted Shigella virus, a form of food poisoning that can only be transmitted by food.

She alleges she has been left with ’embarrassing’ toilet urges that leave her ashamed to go out and occur after she has eaten dairy. Samantha also said that she has sought compensation from TUI over the phone but claims they have offered £100 in cash or a £200 voucher- which she has declined.

Samantha explained: ‘I was so scared and I wasn’t sure how my son would cope with me being in a hospital over 3,000 miles away from home.

‘Luckily, we were able to make our flight but upon arriving home I fell seriously ill and my temperature went through the roof.

‘I was talking gibberish and the stomach cramps were like being in labour – I was forever on and off the toilet too.’

Samantha explained that they were able to get home but her condition deterioriated and her son called an ambulance. She spent 48 hours in hospital, pictured

Her son called 999 and soon after, she was taken to hospital in an ambulance.

She spent 48 hours hooked up to various drips of medication and oxygen and was then allowed home.

Samantha claims that doctors told her she had contracted a ‘serious illness’ with many ‘long-term side effects’ which they diagnosed as Shigella virus, a form of food poisoning.

She has alleged that this can only be transmitted via food. The bacterial infection, which causes a range of symptoms such as diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps, can result in a life-threatening blood infection in rare cases.

Samantha claims that doctors told her she had contracted a ‘serious illness’ with many ‘long-term side effects’ which they diagnosed as Shigella virus, a form of food poisoning. Pictured (L-R): Ben and Samantha on holiday

The 49-year-old claims that her ordeal was caused by food poisoning from the meals the family ate at the hotel- but her son was unaffected. Pictured: The resort

The 49-year-old claims that her ordeal was caused by food poisoning from the meals the family ate at the hotel- but her son was unaffected.

Samantha said that because she booked an all-inclusive trip, they only ate in restaurants dotted around the complex, but she described the food as ‘bog standard.’

The 49-year-old claimed: ‘We were put on tables which were dirty and had no clean cutlery, plates or glasses.

‘We ate steak, fruit, pasta and salads, but everything was such poor quality and didn’t taste right.

‘Most of the food wasn’t hot enough and tasted quite funny, especially the meat, which we stopped eating because of it’s odd taste and smell.

‘I booked the hotel as the water park looked fantastic, as did the clear blue sea.

‘All I wanted was a Caribbean holiday to celebrate my little boy finishing school.’

Samantha said that because she booked an all-inclusive trip, they only ate in restaurants dotted around the complex, but she described the food as ‘bog standard.’ Pictured: The resort

The 49-year-old claimed: ‘We were put on tables which were dirty and had no clean cutlery, plates or glasses. ‘We ate steak, fruit, pasta and salads, but everything was such poor quality and didn’t taste right. Pictured: Crabs Samantha claimed to have seen at the buffet

She claims that she has been left ’embarrassed’ to leave the house because of her toilet urges. Samantha says that they occur when she consumes dairy- and says this was not the case before. Pictured: Her food on holiday

Samantha added: ‘It’s hard not knowing what each day is going to be like, as some are OK and others are really not.’ Pictured: Her son on holiday

She claims that she has been left ’embarrassed’ to leave the house because of her toilet urges. Samantha says that they occur when she consumes dairy- and says this was not the case before.

Samantha added: ‘It’s hard not knowing what each day is going to be like, as some are OK and others are really not.

‘Travelling abroad will be really hard and this is something I love to do with my son, as it’s our time together – especially with how much I work.

‘I truly don’t know if I will ever be ‘well’ again. I urge everyone to avoid this hotel at all costs, read the negative reviews and believe them.

‘This trip has been horrendous from start to finish – it’s been a living nightmare.’

Samantha described their holiday as a ‘living nightmare’ after her alleged ordeal and said she does not know if she will be well again

It is a highly rated hotel but has multiple reviews which discuss the food’s quality as not being ‘too great’ though many others believe that the food on offer is ‘amazing.’

A TUI spokesperson said: ‘We’re really sorry to hear Ms Broadbent was unhappy with her experience, and we’d like to reassure her that we take matters like this incredibly seriously.

‘As a global business, we’re committed to making sure our customers and colleagues feel that TUI is an inclusive environment and always feel welcome with us.

‘We’re investigating Ms Broadbent’s claims with the hotel as a matter of urgency.

‘We can also confirm there are currently no known issues of illness at this hotel.’