Story Highlight
– Paulette Crookes died from Legionnaires’ disease after hot tub use.
– Jury confirmed hot tub as infection source at inquest.
– Family previously reported illness from hot tub bacteria.
– Tapnell Farm’s maintenance records were inconsistent and inadequate.
– Denise Scott seeks accountability, urges awareness of hot tub risks.
Full Story
The family of a woman who tragically died after contracting Legionnaires’ disease following a stay at a holiday park has expressed relief that their concerns have been validated. Paulette Crookes, a resident of Shanklin on the Isle of Wight, passed away in March 2020, just weeks after celebrating her 70th birthday at Tapnell Farm Park in Yarmouth.
An inquest held at the Isle of Wight Coroner’s Court determined that her passing was a direct result of an infection acquired from a hot tub at the holiday venue. Paulette’s daughter, Denise Scott, aged 48, stated that their initial worries about the hot tub had been dismissed, and that the family now feels vindicated that “people believe us.”
Tapnell Farm expressed their “deepest condolences” to the family and emphasized that guest safety remains their top priority. Denise recalled the family holiday at Dairyman’s Cottage, which served as a celebration of her mother’s milestone birthday in February 2020. She highlighted her mother’s enjoyment of family gatherings, particularly relishing time spent with her grandchildren.
The celebration was a significant family affair, with a total of ten family members participating. Denise mentioned her early arrival at the cottage alongside her sisters to arrange birthday decorations, aiming to create a memorable atmosphere. She described the cottage as “wonderful” and the hot tub as inviting, looking forward to quality family time.
Denise fondly recalled her mother’s enthusiasm, noting that Paulette was keen to participate in activities like the zip wire and was among the first to enjoy the hot tub. “She was loving it, absolutely loved it, she really did,” Denise remembered. However, on the second day of their stay, Denise noticed that the water in the hot tub appeared discoloured, developing a scummy layer. The family, however, attributed this to normal use and did not think much of it.
Shortly after returning home, Paulette and several children from the family began experiencing severe illness, including symptoms like rashes and dizziness. Paulette was admitted to hospital within a week of their return and was placed in intensive care. Denise expressed her distress, stating, “She was exhausted and I thought her body is not going to recover unless she actually got some rest.”
As Paulette’s condition worsened, she made the difficult decision with her doctors and family to be placed in an induced coma to recuperate. “She promised us that she’d wake up,” Denise shared. Tragically, on 8 March, medical staff informed the family that there were no further options, prompting them to make the heart-wrenching decision to withdraw life support.
Just before her passing, Paulette had received a diagnosis of Legionnaires’ disease, a severe lung infection contracted through inhalation of bacteria-laden water droplets from sources like hot tubs and air conditioning units. The inquest revealed several critical shortcomings in Tapnell Farm’s maintenance practices concerning the hot tub, including inconsistent and incomplete record-keeping.
The investigation highlighted that the cleaning treatments administered to the hot tub did not meet the standards set by the UK’s Health and Safety Executive. The family had first informed Tapnell Farm on 11 February 2020 that several members were unwell, likely due to the bacterial infection from the hot tub. However, the relevant authorities were not contacted until 19 February, after which inspections of the hot tubs at the facility took place. Although Legionella bacteria was not found in samples from Dairyman’s Cottage, the jury pointed out that Tapnell Farm had missed several chances to address the hot tub’s condition before the health department was notified.
In 2022, Denise reported that the family was informed there was insufficient evidence to pursue legal action against the farm, resulting in only an informal written warning being issued. This left the family feeling demoralised, and they moved on with their lives amidst their grief. Denise noted that they had been occupied with daily life, “just busy, it was non-stop and that’s what we did for the next few years until this coroner’s inquest came around.”
Adding to their tragedy, Denise mentioned that one of her sisters had passed away three months after their mother’s death, and her father James, who profoundly missed his wife, died in the years following. While reflecting on the inquest, Denise expressed her anxiety about potentially facing disappointment again. “We’d been let down so many times before that we just didn’t want to get our hopes up, we were in the hands of 10 strangers,” she revealed, recalling the overwhelming anticipation as the jury reached its verdict.
The jury ultimately concluded that Paulette Crookes died due to pneumonia, specifically as a result of Legionella pneumophila infection contracted from the hot tub at Dairyman’s Cottage. Denise expressed her gratitude for the coroner’s findings and emphasized the need for accountability for Tapnell Farm. “At the moment, all they’ve got is an informal written warning, carrying on with this big park, tourist attraction and we’re without our mum,” she lamented.
Denise further voiced her hope that this tragic incident would serve to raise awareness about the health risks associated with hot tubs. “It’s quite easy to jump in a hot tub and not think twice about it but it is a very high-risk thing to do,” she stated. In response to the inquest’s findings, Tom Turney, a partner at Tapnell Farm, expressed respect for the jury’s conclusions and reiterated condolences to Paulette’s family. He insisted on the importance of maintaining safety for guests and staff alike. The Isle of Wight Council has declined to comment on the case.
Our Thoughts
To prevent the tragic incident of Paulette Crookes’ death from Legionnaires’ disease, several measures could have been implemented. Tapnell Farm Park failed to maintain adequate records and protocols for hot tub sanitation, contravening the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines on the control of Legionella bacteria. Consistent maintenance and regular water testing should have been routine, particularly when the initial complaints from guests indicated potential health risks.
Key lessons include the importance of promptly addressing guest complaints and thoroughly investigating reports of illness. A proactive health and safety culture that prioritizes immediate action could have mitigated risks. The failure to notify Environmental Health in a timely manner represents a serious breach of duty, potentially worsening the situation.
In future, regular training for staff on health and safety regulations, specifically concerning pool and hot tub maintenance, along with rigorous documentation practices, could significantly reduce the likelihood of similar incidents. Furthermore, enhancing guest education on the risks associated with hot tubs would empower users to recognize unsafe conditions immediately.
