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Thomas Molloy, 64, has told how he became weak and breathless towards the end of a ten-day break with his wife Jean
HOLIDAY FROM HELL

Man’s TUI nightmare after getting Legionnaires’ disease during luxury Turkey trip

Thomas Molloy from Beverly, Hull is now unable to work following his stay at the Sun City Hotel and Beach Club in Olu Deniz

A HOLIDAYMAKER has been left "breathless and weak" after he contracted Legionnaires' disease on his four-star TUI trip to Turkey.

Thomas Molloy, 64, and his wife Jean, 65, relaxed and lounged around a pool at the Sun City Hotel and Beach Club in Olu Deniz for ten days.

 Thomas Molloy has told how he became weak and breathless towards the end of a ten-day break with his wife Jean
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Thomas Molloy has told how he became weak and breathless towards the end of a ten-day break with his wife JeanCredit: BPM Media

But on their flight back to Beverley, Hull, his health drastically deteriorated to such an extent, he ended up spending six days in Hull Royal Infirmary upon landing.

Medics at the hospital told him he had caught the lung infection, which is usually contracted from inhaling water plagued by legionella bacteria.

Jean, who also became unwell, managed to recover. But Thomas is unable to work or carry out minor tasks around the house.

He told Hull Daily Mail: "My legs became very weak and I was really short of breath, and on the day we were flying home I wasn’t even able to stand for very long in the queues or pull our bags, Jean had to do it. It was quite frightening.”

 Mr Molloy's ordeal comes after Suncity hotel evacuated guests following an outbreak of the fatal illness
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Mr Molloy's ordeal comes after Suncity hotel evacuated guests following an outbreak of the fatal illness

WHAT IS LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE?

Legionnaires' disease is a lung infection usually caught in spaces where bacteria has got into the water supply.

The bacteria will be released from things like air conditioning systems, spas, hot tubs, toilets and showers.

Initial symptoms usually include

  • Headaches
  • Muscle pain
  • High temperatures
  • Tiredness
  • Chills

But if the disease develops, suffers are likely to experience:

  • Chest pains
  • A persistent cough
  • Shortness of breath

Mr Molloy initially blamed his symptoms on the hot weather, thinking he was suffering from heatstroke or dehydration because of the humidity and balmy temperatures.

But he was left furious after his diagnosis since his stay hotel was already "disappointing".

To make matters worse, he had recently had a kidney transplant, so medics classed him as high risk, meaning his symptoms could have been fatal.

 Mr Molloy spent six days at Hull Royal Infirmary when he got home, where he was told he had Legionnaires' Disease
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Mr Molloy spent six days at Hull Royal Infirmary when he got home, where he was told he had Legionnaires' DiseaseCredit: BPM Media

His claims comes after hundreds of Brit holidaymakers were forced to leave the same hotel, following an outbreak of the deadly Legionnaires’ disease.

Travel firm Tui acted after the scare last week, and customers were given £100 compensation for the hotel transfer.

Reviews on TripAdvisor also suggest the hotel closed following an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in the last week.

A review by aaronj518 said: "This is very urgent hotel closed and guests have been taken ill with ligionnaires disease tui and jet2 removed all clients from the hotel 4 guests are in hospital with pneumonia.

"Guests returning home have been taken ill TUI not taken responsibility or helping guests in hospital and hotel management not looking after guests in hotel."

User theflyingdutchman69 added: "A disaster waiting to happen and looks like it has, starting with our evacuation due to suspected Legionnaires disease."

A spokesperson for SunCity Hotel & Beach Club told Sun Online their "responsible team" does regular checks.

The spokesperson said the European Centre for Legionnaires Disease Prevention has assessed the hotel, taking swabs throughout the resort, and results will be released soon.

A TUI spokesperson told Sun Online: "We are very sorry to hear that Mr Molloy was unwell after his holiday. As we understand that Mr Molloy has instructed solicitors it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.

"We’d like to reassure customers that we regularly audit all of the hotels we feature in respect of health and safety, including hygiene."


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