Dad placed into coma after staying at 'damp and musty' 4-star hotel on holiday

Dad placed into coma after staying at 'damp and musty' 4-star hotel on holiday
Richard Moore, 55, was diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease after staying at the four-star hotel in Turkey. He was placed in an induced coma and spent a month in hospital
Richard Moore in hospital after returning from his four-star break
(Image: Irwin Mitchell / SWNS )
A dad-of-two has recounted his harrowing near-death experience after contracting a rare illness from what he claims was a "damp and musty" four-star hotel during a sunny getaway in Turkey.
Richard Moore, 55, started to feel unwell with fever and chest pains following a five-day holiday with his partner Julie, aged 50. The chef's condition deteriorated so rapidly that he was taken to hospital and put into an induced coma, with his family being warned he might not pull through.
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Medics later diagnosed him with the potentially fatal Legionnaires' disease, necessitating a five-day hospital stay, antibiotic treatment, and an IV drip.
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Richard, from Blyth, Northumberland, shared with Chronicle Live: "This holiday was meant to be a short break before I started a new job as an executive chef. Instead, it cost me my dream job, my health and very nearly my life." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here .
Richard continued: "As a result of the memory loss, I can't recall much of my time in hospital, but when I was admitted, I remember the fear and not knowing what was wrong.
"I'm lucky to be alive but it's so upsetting to think my family were told I might not live. I never realised Legionnaires' disease was so serious and I want to tell my story to make other people aware of the symptoms and the dangers.
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"I wouldn't want to think that other people were going off on a holiday unaware of what they could be walking into. If there are issues with the hotel then that needs looking at urgently. I feel fortunate to have pulled through. However, I do worry that someone else might not be as lucky as I was."
Richard and his family forked out £2,000 for a stay at a four-star hotel. Upon their arrival on 18 August last year, Richard was disappointed to find the hotel in a state of disrepair.
He noted that the room was damp and had an unpleasant musty odour. He commented: "I can't specifically pinpoint to one thing but the water temperature fluctuated a lot in the shower. The bathroom and hotel generally looked run down and the sofa in hotel room beneath the air con felt damp throughout the holiday which made me think it was leaking."
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Shortly after returning to the UK, Richard began experiencing symptoms akin to the flu. On 30 August, he developed chest pains, shortness of breath and a fever, leading to his hospitalisation.
After spending a month in hospital, Richard has been unable to take up his new role as an executive chef. He continues to grapple with fatigue, weakness and mobility issues associated with Legionnaires' disease.
He has since engaged travel illness lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to probe the cause of his Legionnaires' disease. Jennifer Hodgson, who is representing Richard, stated: "Richard's first-hand account of his experience at the hotel and contracting his illness is deeply disturbing.
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"Legionnaires' disease is an incredibly serious condition, and it can take several days from coming into contact with Legionella bacteria before symptoms of the illness start to appear. As Richard has since discovered, the effects of the disease can be long-term.
"Nothing can make up for the impact the illness has had and continues to have on Richard, but we're determined to provide him with the answers and specialist support he deserves. Public buildings, such as hotels and offices, can have complex water systems, so it's vital that all precautions are taken to prevent the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease developing.
"As part of our work and to assist with our investigations, we would be keen to hear from anyone else who may also have been affected by illness."
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