Stephen Gougeon, whose wife and young son died from food poisoning while holidaying in the Domincan Republic, is suing the Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham Resort for £5.5million
A father whose wife and young son died from food poisoning one day into their holiday has spoken of the heartbreaking moment he flew home without them.
Stephen Gougeon, 38, was enjoying his holiday with wife April, 41, and son Oliver, eight, at Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham Resort in December 2023, when they were struck down with the fatal illness. They are thought to have contracted the bug after eating from the resort’s buffet. They visited the on-site clinic before their condition deteriorated.
In a statement, Mr Gougeon revealed just how hard it was returning home without them. He said: “Flying back home without April and Oliver sitting beside as they had done just days earlier is indescribable. We planned this trip so our family could get some rest and relaxation. The thought that something like this could happen was the furthest thing from our minds.”
Air Transat, which has been named as a defendant alongside Wyndham Hotels, said it was “deeply saddened” by the deaths but denied any wrongdoing. A spokesperson told People Magazine: “In such cases, we act with diligence, prudence, and compassion, making every effort to assist our clients.
“Moreover, we choose our suppliers with great care and the hotel operator has assured us of its full cooperation with the authorities in shedding light on these tragic deaths.”
According to a coroner’s report, April and Oliver Gougeon died due to secondary causes related to food poisoning, reports the Express US. April, a lawyer, was described in her obituary as a devoted mother who “was the first one to assist when others were in time of need.” Oliver’s obituary highlighted his “easy-going personality found him with many friends” and his love for drawing and sketching.
In a lawsuit, Stephen Gougeon alleged unsanitary conditions in the food preparation areas, lack of timely medical treatment, and staff being untrained to deal with emergencies at the resort.
He claimed that the staff did not take their call for help seriously nor did they check in on them and request medical help. “When they finally responded after our further plea, there appeared to be confusion about how to handle the situation.
“These delays cost precious time that could have been used to treat our illness. And in the end, it cost my wife and my son their lives,” Gougeon said. Meghan Hull Jacquin, the lawyer representing the Gougeons, stated that the family “was failed on so many levels.”
She added: “The Gougeons are taking action against the companies whose negligence allowed this to happen, not only to get answers and realise a sense of justice for themselves but to shine light on these events, effect change in the failed processes and procedures and ideally protect other vacationers from having to experience anything similar.”