A family celebration turned to heartbreak after a dad died following a bout of salmonella in the Canary Islands for his 70th birthday. Leslie Green, who was holidaying in Fuerteventura with his wife Julie, fell critically ill in the second week of their £2,300 getaway and was admitted to a Spanish hospital when his condition deteriorated.
Complications from the infection ensued, leading to sepsis and kidney failure, and ultimately, Leslie, a grandfather-of-one, lost his life about four weeks later. Julie, who had been married to him for 38 years, also suffered severely from salmonella and required a weeklong hospital stay.
Julie became sick right after her husband took ill – on the day she turned 60. Now, Leslie’s widow, formerly an NHS assistant nurse from Little Lever, Bolton, has contacted solicitors to conduct inquiries. She has raised concerns about a potentially lukewarm sauce they consumed and undercooked chicken she says was eaten on the island during the doomed vacation, reports Lancs Live.
Reflecting on the tragic outcome, Julie said: “When we booked the holiday to celebrate my 60th and Leslie’s 70th, we never imagined it would turn out the way it did. During the second week of the holiday, Leslie became ill and got progressively worse. I soon knew it was serious and wasn’t just a 24-hour thing that would pass.”
She added: “A few days later he was in hospital and then a week later I was as well. I was lucky in that, while I was very poorly, I wasn’t as bad as Leslie. Seeing him in hospital in those last few days was awful.”
Julie revealed the heartbreaking experience of watching her ailing partner slip away, saying: “He looked so frail, and I felt so helpless as I couldn’t do anything for him. Saying goodbye to Leslie and seeing his life slip away is something I don’t think I’ll get over.”
Paying tribute to Leslie’s kind and compassionate nature, she said: “Leslie was one of the good guys. He was a kind and gentle man who adored his family and enjoyed keeping fish, playing darts and pool, and supporting his football team, Bury FC.
“I still can’t comprehend how we went on holiday together, but Leslie never came home. If it wasn’t for the pain I wake with daily, it almost wouldn’t seem real.”
Julie added: “Leslie and I had so many plans for our retirement, but I feel cheated that these have been taken away from us in the cruellest way. The least I deserve is answers.”
The series of events leading to Leslie’s tragic demise began after the couple arrived on holiday on October 1, 2024. Leslie, a retired newspaper delivery driver for the Manchester Evening News, began to fall ill on October 9, exhibiting symptoms like diarrhoea, leading to severe dehydration.
Following a medical consultation on October 12, Leslie was rushed by ambulance to a local clinic for urgent hydration treatment. But his condition worsened and he was admitted to hospital the next day.
Upon testing positive for salmonella, Leslie suffered a number of complications, including kidney failure, pneumonia, and sepsis – a life-threatening reaction where the body fights an infection. He was subsequently placed in an induced coma, but unfortunately, his health continued to decline.
Eventually, doctors confirmed there were no further lifesaving interventions possible. Leslie, who celebrated his 70th birthday in July 2024, tragically passed away on November 4, hours after his life-support machine was turned off.
His body was flown back home a week later and a post-mortem examination was conducted on November 18, with results still pending. His wife Julie fell ill on October 16 and was hospitalised the next day.
Despite being on holiday in Fuerteventura, she chose to stay behind to be with her husband. She was discharged from the hospital on October 24 but continued to suffer from bowel-related issues upon returning home.
Their 35-year-old daughter Becci flew out to support her parents and was present when her father’s life-support machine was switched off. Their eldest daughter Sarah, 38, who is battling end-stage kidney failure and had recently been released from intensive care, was unable to travel due to her medical condition.
Jennifer Hodgson, an expert international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Julie, said: “The impact of salmonella and other gastric illnesses should never be downplayed.”
She added: “They can result in serious complications leading to serious injury and sadly death, as Leslie’s case tragically highlights. While nothing can makeup for what’s happened, we’re now investigating our client’s concerns and are determined to provide them with not only the answers they deserve, but access to specialist rehabilitation and support.”