Pensioner died from deadly disease after hotel break from wife with dementia

29 February 2024 , 13:13

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Brian Taylor spent 25 days in intensive care before he sadly passed away (Image: Irwin Mitchell / SWNS)

A pensioner who took a week-long hotel break suddenly fell ill and died - as deadly bacteria spread through the building's air conditioning units.

Brian Taylor, 75, took the short trip to the beautiful Black Sea resort in the summer of 2019 after his wife Nancy, 84, had gone into a care home. He passed away from the bacterial pneumonia spread via air conditioning units a month after returning home.

In a tragic revelation, his family told how the doting husband never got to 'say goodbye' to his wife of 41 years, Nancy Sykes-Taylor, who has dementia - and who he would visit every day before his death in July 2019.

Brian was one of three people hit with flu-like symptoms shortly after he returning from the three-star Hotel Kalofer, located on the Black Sea. Days later, he was rushed to hospital and spent 25 days in intensive care battling Legionnaires' disease before he died.

His family went on to take legal action against Jet2holidays which denies liability - but agreed undisclosed out-of-court settlements with all parties - totalling six figures. Brian’s stepson, Martin Farrell, 62, responded by saying nothing would compensate for the devastating loss.

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Pensioner died from deadly disease after hotel break from wife with dementia

Brian Taylor with his wife Nancy Sykes-Taylor (Irwin Mitchell / SWNS)

He said: “Brian was very independent, and very fit and active for his age. He enjoyed holidaying as well as bowling and walking to the local club on a Saturday. He adored my mum and would visit her every day. When I saw him after he returned from Bulgaria, I couldn’t quite believe how poorly he was.

“Even more than four years on it remains difficult to comprehend how he had gone on holiday and just over a month after returning had died. The hospital did everything they could to help Brian, but he went downhill so quickly. The hardest thing to accept is that he never got to say goodbye to mum.

“Nothing can ever make up for what our family have been through, but we just hope that by speaking out others are aware of the signs and symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease and how serious it is.”

Martin, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, went to stay with Brian, as he did routinely each week. He noticed Brian had developed flu-like symptoms, a high temperature and was shaking. When Martin travelled back home the following day, he called to check in on Brian, who said he had been to the GP, and then made a further call four days later for an update.

But during that time Brian had collapsed and was rushed to a hospital in an ambulance. He spent 25 days in the intensive care unit where he was diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease, before dying on July 17, 2019.

Nancy and Brian in their younger years (Irwin Mitchell / SWNS)

After his death, his family instructed expert serious injury lawyers Irwin Mitchell to investigate whether his illness was linked to his stay at the hotel. Two other British holidaymakers who received treatment in UK hospitals and were diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease also asked Irwin Mitchell to investigate.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), revealed that the European Legionnaires’ Disease Surveillance Network received four reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease that were potentially associated with the Hotel Kalofer in 2019.

And following legal submissions by Irwin Mitchell, Jet2Holidays agreed on an undisclosed out-of-court settlement with Brian’s family and the other parties. Sarita Sharma, the specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Our clients, including Brian’s loved ones, remain angry and upset at what happened and the circumstances surrounding the events that unfolded.

“Through our work we sadly see the devastating consequences of Legionnaires’ disease, and nothing highlights this more than Brian’s death. While nothing can make up for what the families have been through, we’re pleased to have at least secured these settlements which provides them with some closure.

“Large buildings with more complex water systems – such as hotels, hospitals or spas – are at a greater risk of legionella contamination, the bacteria which causes the infection. Following an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease it’s vital that the source is identified as soon as possible. If any members of the public start experiencing any of the symptoms it’s crucial that they seek immediate medical advice.”