A father-of-two died of suspected kidney failure after catching norovirus onboard a cruise ship, as his grieving wife revealed she ‘blames herself’ for his tragic death.
Alan Forster, 77, embarked on a dream voyage with his wife Dianna — travelling from Southampton to New York onboard P&O Arcadia from September 3 to October 3.
But just two weeks after they set sail, the retired teacher from Paignton, Devon, fell ill with diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting.
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention later confirmed there had been an outbreak of norovirus onboard the ship, which affected nearly 100 passengers.
Confined to his cabin, Mr Forster’s symptoms worsened, and he sadly succumbed to the illness.
Mr Forster leaves behind his wife of 54 years, his two sons John and Iain, as well as four grandchildren.
Alan Forster died of suspected kidney failure after catching norovirus onboard a cruise ship
The 77-year-old had embarked on a dream voyage with his wife Dianna — travelling from Southampton to New York onboard P&O Arcadia
Paying tribute to Mr Forster, his wife Dianna, 79, said: ‘Alan was the most loving husband and dad. We were looking forward to many more years together but that’s been taken away in the cruellest of ways.’
Mrs Forster said the couple, who had been on 47 cruises before, could not wait to start their holiday, The Mirror reported.
‘It was me who wanted to go on the cruise,’ she added, ‘I blame myself. If it wasn’t for me, he’d still be here.’
Following Mr Forster’s passing, Mrs Forster’s sons, both aged 47, have instructed lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate.
Despite raising the alarm about Mr Forster’s symptoms earlier, Mrs Forster said medical treatment was not offered to them.
Following Mr Forster’s passing, Mrs Forster’s sons, both aged 47, have instructed lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate
The only assistance they were given was from one nurse who assisted in lifting Alan from the floor of his cabin when he collapsed, according to The Mirror.
‘It was not until his symptoms became critical and I refused to take no for an answer, that he was finally taken to the medical centre,’ Mrs Forster added.
Mr Forster was taken to hospital in Saint John, Canada, when the ship docked there, but sadly his symptoms had worsened and his kidneys were starting to failure.
Mrs Forster admitted that even when he husband was taken to hospital, ‘not for one minute did I think I was going to lose him’.
‘All we want now is some answers to help understand what happened and what can be done to prevent this horrendous and ongoing ordeal from happening to anyone else.’
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting, diarrhea, and inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It is sometimes called the ‘stomach flu’.
MailOnline has approached P&O Cruises for comment.
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