Key Takeaways
- A grandmother, Paulette Crookes, died after contracting legionella from a hot tub at a holiday cottage on the Isle of Wight.
- The inquest jury ruled that her death was caused by pneumonia directly resulting from the legionella infection acquired from the hot tub.
- The family had reported a strange smell and cloudy water in the hot tub, but the housekeeping manager claimed to have tested the water daily and noticed no issues.
- The Environmental Health investigation was hampered by the pandemic, and the family lodged complaints about the lack of prosecution.
- The coroner emphasized the importance of proper risk assessment and maintenance of hot tubs to prevent such incidents.
Introduction to the Incident
A tragic incident occurred at a holiday cottage on the Isle of Wight, where a grandmother, Paulette Crookes, contracted legionella from a hot tub and later died. The inquest into her death revealed a series of events that led to the tragic outcome. Mrs. Crookes had booked the cottage, Dairyman’s Cottage at Tapnell Farm, to celebrate her 70th birthday with her family. During their stay, she spent a significant amount of time in the hot tub, which would later be identified as the source of the legionella infection.
The Family’s Experience
The family arrived at the cottage on February 7, 2020, and used the hot tub several times throughout the weekend. However, by the second day, they noticed a strange smell and cloudy, off-color water. Despite this, they continued to use the hot tub, unaware of the potential risks. Mrs. Crookes’ daughter, Nicola Vaughan, reported that her mother spent a lot of time in the hot tub on the first day, but by the second day, she began to feel unwell. The family eventually left the cottage, but several relatives, including grandchildren, developed rashes, which were later linked to the poorly maintained hot tub.
Investigation and Inquest
The family emailed Tapnell Farm to warn them about the potential health risks associated with the hot tub, and the Environmental Health department launched an investigation. However, the investigation was significantly hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, which was spreading rapidly at the time. The inquest heard that the Environmental Health visits to Tapnell Farm did not show the strain of legionella that infected Mrs. Crookes. The housekeeping manager, Joanna Lloyd, responsible for maintaining and testing the hot tubs, claimed to have tested the water daily and noticed no issues. However, the coroner questioned her robustly about whether she had actually done the testing, as none of the family members had seen her during their stay.
Coroner’s Verdict and Family’s Reaction
The coroner, Caroline Sumeray, asked the jury to consider whether the legionella pneumophila infection was acquired from the hot tub at Dairyman’s Cottage. The jury concluded that Mrs. Crookes died from pneumonia caused by a legionella pneumophila infection acquired from the hot tub. The coroner thanked Mrs. Crookes’ family for their patience and dignity throughout the investigation, which was delayed due to the pandemic. The family expressed their horrific experience, with Mrs. Crookes’ daughter, Denise Scott, stating that she thought her heart was breaking during the ordeal.
Prevention and Maintenance
The incident highlights the importance of proper maintenance and risk assessment of hot tubs to prevent such incidents. The coroner emphasized that perhaps a more professional approach to risk assessment could have prevented the tragedy. The inquest heard that all hot tubs at Tapnell Farm were removed in March 2020 due to environmental concerns, energy use, health and safety, and the pandemic. The incident serves as a reminder to holiday cottage owners and managers to prioritize the maintenance and testing of hot tubs to ensure the safety of their guests.
Conclusion
The death of Paulette Crookes is a tragic reminder of the importance of proper maintenance and risk assessment of hot tubs. The incident highlights the need for holiday cottage owners and managers to prioritize the safety of their guests and take necessary measures to prevent such incidents. The coroner’s verdict and the family’s experience serve as a warning to others to be vigilant and take necessary precautions when using hot tubs, especially in holiday settings.
