Further case at holiday camp where Birmingham grandmother caught Legionnaires’ Disease which killed her
Oct 13 2009 by John Marsden, Birmingham Post
Police are investigating a further case of Legionnaires’ Disease at the same holiday camp where a Birmingham grandmother caught the deadly bug which killed her.
Karen Taylor died in Selly Oak Hospital after spending nine days at Blackpool’s Pontins resort.
As detectives continued their probe into the 53-year-old’s death, they said that they were trying to establish whether there were links to another confirmed case of the illness at the holiday park earlier this year.
Mrs Taylor’s grieving family say they were told by police officers that a woman had contracted the bug after staying in the same apartment earlier in the summer season.
It is understood that the bacteria was found inside a shower head at the apartment. Lancashire Police said they were unable to comment on claims made by the family.
In a statement the force said: “We are aware of a further woman having been confirmed to have the same illness. The investigation is on-going to establish any links. She had stayed at Pontins this year but it wasn’t at the same time as Mrs Taylor.
“We cannot comment any further because the investigation is continuing.”
The couple, who have a son and daughter and six grandchildren, had travelled to the seaside town at the end of June for a break. After they returned to their home in Northfield Mrs Taylor began to feel ill within a couple of days and was taken to Selly Oak Hospital by her husband.
Doctors diagnosed the Legionnaires’ Disease and the popular camp was forced to isolate a block of 16 apartments, which have since been tested and deep-cleaned.
Care worker Mrs Taylor developed pneumonia, a common side-effect of the disease, and died on August 29 despite efforts to save her.
Mr Taylor, 54, told the Birmingham Post: “I’m absolutely devastated and it’s still hard to come to terms with it all. She lived for our grandchildren and for things like holidays.
“We had been married for 36 years and had done absolutely everything together. I had known her since school and she was my soulmate.”
Tests are yet to confirm that the bug found at the park was the same strain that killed Mrs Taylor.
Pontins Blackpool closed for the final time last week after owners Ocean Parcs failed to agree a long-term lease with site owners.
