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Widow's warning after husband dies during dream holiday with TUI

Sue and Roy Fawcett
Sue and Roy Fawcett

A SWINDON widow is warning holidaymakers about the dangers of poorly-planned trips abroad after her dream vacation became a deadly nightmare.

Susan Fawcett and husband Roy went on an all-inclusive ‘holiday of a lifetime’ to the Dominican Republic in October 2017 and booked a snorkelling experience two days before they needed to fly home.

Susan stayed in the shallows while Roy went into deeper water with another group near Paradise Island – but was later spotted face down and not moving.

Despite efforts to revive the 58-year-old project manager, he was pronounced dead in hospital later that day.

An inquest in September 2018 concluded with the verdict that Roy died from “accidental drowning on a poorly monitored holiday excursion”.

Almost five years on from this tragedy, Susan and Roy's family are still struggling to come to terms with it all and do not know what went so terribly wrong during that fateful trip.

Sue says she and Roy only booked the trip under the impression it was provided by their tour operator TUI, who deny liability for his death and claims the snorkelling did not form part of the package booked by the couple.

They are suing the booking company for reasonability.

The 60-year-old added: “Despite the time that has passed, I can never forget that terrible day or how what was meant to be a fun day at the end of a holiday of a lifetime could go so horribly wrong.

“I have lost my husband, our children have lost their father and what we are all left with are a lot of unanswered questions concerning that trip and its aftermath.

“Roy and I would never have gone had we not been convinced it was organised by TUI, as we believed official excursions were the best way to make the most of our dream holiday.

“Given our experience, I would urge all holidaymakers to make sure they know who is organising any trips they are planning and that proper safety precautions are in place.

“Nothing can bring Roy back, but if we can get some answers and other families are aware of the risks, it means Roy’s death will not have been in vain.”

Swindon Advertiser: Roy Fawcett
Swindon Advertiser: Roy Fawcett

Roy Fawcett

She described Roy as a dedicated family man. He leaves behind the couple’s son Nathan and Sue’s daughter Sabrina.

The excursion on October 12 2017 included several holidaymakers. Some of them assisted in getting Roy onto the beach, where he was taken by boat to the mainland and then hospital.

After returning home from the holiday alone, Susan instructed specialist international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her husband’s death.

The trial of the case is listed at the Royal Courts of Justice in London in January 2023 and is expected to last for five days.

Irwin Mitchell partner and specialist international personal injury lawyer Phillip Banks is supporting Sue and the family.

He said: “Sue has undergone every holidaymaker’s worst nightmare, after a much-planned dream holiday left her to return home having lost her husband and still with many unanswered questions surrounding his death.

“We’re determined to support Sue as her case continues and her warning to holidaymakers is well-timed, as what looks set to be a busy summer season for UK holidaymakers approaches.

“Sue’s warning about checking carefully any planned excursions and confirming exactly who the organisers are can make a big difference and will help to ensure that no other family has to suffer in the same way.”

Swindon Advertiser: Sue and Roy Fawcett
Swindon Advertiser: Sue and Roy Fawcett

Sue and Roy Fawcett