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Mum fell ill at five-star Cape Verde hotel - two days later she was dead

She was enjoying a 5,000 holiday with her family when she became unwell

[Elena Walsh]

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Elena Walsh(Image: Irwin Mitchell/SWNS)

A mum died after contracting a severe illness while on holiday at a five-star hotel in Cape Verde. Elena Walsh booked the Riu Cabo Verde resort in Sal to mark her husband's 60th birthday and their son's engagement.

But just a week into their 5,000 trip, the 64-year-old became unwell with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea and excessive sweating. Just two days later, the part-time nurse died.

Her devastated husband Patrickhas told how he was concerned about hygiene standards at the hotel during their 12-night stay in August. He claimed food was frequently served tepid and was not prepared properly.

Patrick also alleged the treatment Elena received was disorganised in the lead-up to her death. He claimed guests would remain at the pool bar throughout the day without leaving to use the toilet, reports Birmingham Live. The water would be seen 'changing colour', Patrick claimed.

The retired plant operator, from Birmingham, engaged medical negligence solicitors to examine the care his wife of almost 40 years received. Patrick, who also fell ill, said: "Elena was the heart and soul of our family. She was caring, compassionate, and always put others first.

"Elena was a wonderful wife, mum, and friend. She was loved by everyone who knew her. In the nearly 40 years we'd been together, I'd never seen Elena so poorly. By the Saturday morning, she was so weak she had to be helped into a wheelchair to be taken from our room and into a taxi to go to the nearby clinic.

[Elena Walsh with her husband Patrick, their son Sean and Sean's fiancee, Gemma]

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Elena Walsh with her husband Patrick, their son Sean and Sean's fiancee, Gemma(Image: Irwin Mitchell/SWNS)

"The care she received felt chaotic and we felt 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 broken us as a family. 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. I'm not sure we'll ever get over what happened to Elena, but we have so many concerns about what caused her death.

"We were really worried about the hygiene at the hotel the food was often lukewarm, the cheese on the pizza was not melted properly and seemed undercooked. On one night my son mentioned the chicken tasted funny, so he stopped eating it. I found at times the food in the hotel was being rushed out to be served when it hadn't been cooked properly and we noticed people standing in the pool bar all day, without leaving to go to the toilet, with the water changing colour.

"The least we feel we deserve is answers, not just for our family, but if Elena did fall ill, and die, because of the hygiene conditions at the hotel, we can then help try and prevent other families from going through the same horrific ordeal we have endured."

Elena was on holiday with Patrick, their son, Sean, 29, and Sean's fiancee Gemma Kentish, 26. They travelled to Cape Verde on August 1 and Elena started to feel unwell on the afternoon of August 8. Her condition worsened overnight and Elena was assessed by a nurse in her room the following morning. She was taken by taxi to a local clinic before being transferred to hospital.

But she continued to deteriorate and died just after 6.30am on August 10. Jatinder Paul, an specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Patrick, said: "Elena's loved ones are devastated by her death and the sudden circumstances surrounding it. Understandably, they have a number of questions about how she contracted her illness and the care she received in Cape Verde. While nothing can make up for their loss, we're determined to at least help establish the answers they deserve."

The law firm is representing more than 1,500 UK holidaymakers who travelled to Cape Verde and fell ill over the last three years. An inquest into Elena's death is expected to be held at a later date.

The Riu Cabo Verde was approached for comment on Friday and has not yet responded.

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