Tragic Loss of British Couple in Hotel After Adjacent Room Undergoes Bed Bug Fumigation

 

John Cooper, aged 69, and his wife Susan, aged 63, passed away on August 21, 2018, while staying at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada.

An ongoing inquest this week has revealed an expert report suggesting that the couple’s demise may be linked to potential exposure to an ‘infectious biological agent or toxic chemicals’.

Testimony at the inquest, held at Blackburn coroner’s court, includes a statement from a German tourist who reported a bed bug infestation in the room adjacent to the Coopers’. The couple, who hailed from Burnley in Lancashire, fell seriously unwell the morning after the room was treated with a pesticide called Lambda, and tragically passed away the following day.

The German tourist, Dominik Bibi, observed hotel staff fumigating the room and using masking tape to seal the area, remarking, ‘I would not say the job was very professional.’

Although the two hotel rooms had an adjoining door, it was found to be locked.

Kelly Ormerod, the Coopers’ daughter, fondly remembered her parents as being in good health for their age and described their holiday as ‘brilliant’. They were enjoying their time with her, their three grandchildren, and family friends before the unfortunate incident occurred.

Mr. Cooper, a builder, and Susan, a bureau de change cashier, were known to enjoy multiple holidays annually, as stated by Ms. Ormerod, a civil servant with HMRC.

Ms. Ormerod’s mother had visited the same hotel in April of that year and had described it as ‘fabulous’. This positive impression led her to plan a return trip with the entire family.

On the evening of August 20, they all dined in the hotel restaurant and spent time in the bar before retiring for the night.

Ms. Ormerod’s daughter, Molly, who was 12 years old at the time, was staying on a single bed in her grandparents’ room. She noted a peculiar ‘yeasty smell’.

At 1 am, Mr. Cooper called to inform them that Molly was feeling unwell. He escorted his granddaughter to her mother’s room on an upper floor.

The following morning, when Mr. and Mrs. Cooper did not appear for breakfast, Ms. Ormerod went to their ground floor room, number 5107, only to discover that both of them were seriously ill.

According to Ms. Ormerod, her father came to the door stating, ‘I really don’t feel very well,’ visibly struggling and distressed.

Her mother was in bed, audibly ‘groaning’, with evidence of vomiting in her hair and around the room. Ms. Ormerod also noticed an unusual, ‘heavy’ smell.

Two doctors were urgently called, but they were in a state of panic as Ms. Ormerod’s parents continued to deteriorate. Her father was struggling to breathe.

With tears in her eyes, Ms. Ormerod added, ‘His eyes had a glazed, vacant look.’

Attempts were made at CPR, but Mr. Cooper was tragically declared deceased on the hotel room floor. His wife was taken to a clinic within the hotel, where she became highly agitated and delirious, as recounted during the inquest.

Mrs. Cooper was subsequently transported to the hospital by ambulance but was declared deceased at 4:12 pm.

Both individuals were repatriated to the UK in sealed, zinc-lined coffins, as disclosed during the inquest.

The hearing has been adjourned until later this morning.