Dad dies after catching norovirus on cruise ship as 100 extra passengers fall unwell
Alan Forster, 77, was enjoying a month-long P&O voyage with his wife, Dianna, when he began suffering with symptoms of the winter vomiting bug
A heartbroken widow has confessed she “blames herself” after her husband died following a bout of norovirus on a cruise ship. Dianna Forster, 79, is in mourning after her spouse of over five decades, Alan Forster, 77, succumbed to kidney failure post contracting the virus aboard the P&O ship Arcadia.
The couple, who had previously enjoyed 47 cruises, were on a month-long voyage when Alan began experiencing severe diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and vomiting, leading to him being secluded in their cabin. He was later hospitalised upon the ship’s arrival in Canada, where his health took a turn for the worse, reports the Mirror.
Tragically, following Mr. Forster’s passing, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a norovirus outbreak, which had struck nearly 100 passengers. Grieving Dianna lamented: “I blame myself. If it wasn’t for me, he’d still be here. It was me who wanted to go on the cruise.”
She added, detailing their plans and the shattering loss: “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. We couldn’t wait to board the Arcadia and start our holiday. We’d been on 47 cruises before and had planned more for the future.”
With a heavy heart, she expressed her sorrow: “It’s less than two months since we lost him and every day since then has been filled with grief and pain. I still can’t – and don’t want to – accept my beloved husband is gone.”
Dianna reminisced about her husband’s health prior to the ill-fated trip: “Alan was in good spirits and health before the cruise. Alan is not one to normally complain, so when he said he felt unwell I knew something was very wrong and it was more than just an upset stomach.”
“There were announcements there was norovirus on the ship, so we suspected it must be that and he would get any medical help he needed. It took many long and traumatic days of being quarantined in our room for the nurses to come and see Alan, and even then they didn’t do anything outside of lifting him back into bed.”
“I tried to raise the alarm several times but I was shouted at and told to get back into my room. 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.”
His bereaved family, including wife Dianna and 47 year old twin sons John and Iain, have engaged the legal services of Irwin Mitchell to look into the circumstances surrounding his tragic passing. Jatinder Paul, representing the family at Irwin Mitchell and a specialist lawyer in international serious injuries, remarked: “Alan and Dianna were regular cruise-goers and were really looking forward to setting sail on the Arcadia. But it wasn’t long before Alan fell ill.”
“What we’ve heard from Dianna about an outbreak on the cruise ship and how Alan deteriorated so quickly is deeply concerning.
“Norovirus is a particularly unpleasant illness that can lead to serious health conditions such as kidney failure. Following an outbreak of norovirus, it’s vital that thorough investigations are conducted into the failings aboard the cruise ship, as well as the delays in getting Alan the crucial medical treatment he required.
“While there’s nothing that can change what happened, we’re now investigating and are determined to get Dianna, John and Iain the answers they deserve.”
A representative for P&O Cruises expressed their sympathies, stating: ”We were sorry to receive a legal letter informing us of the death of Mr Forster and making a claim for compensation. We will investigate the matters alleged and respond as appropriate once the investigation has been completed.
“I blame myself. If it wasn’t for me, he’d still be here. It was me who wanted to go on the cruise.”
