Man Dies of Food Poisoning After Contracting Salmonella from Undercooked Chicken on 70th Birthday Vacation: Reports

A British man died after getting food poisoning on a special 70th birthday trip to Spain’s Fuerteventura, a court has heard.

Leslie Green died in the hospital on Nov. 4, 2024, after contracting Salmonella after reportedly eating undercooked chicken at the 4-star Occidental Jandia Playa resort the previous month, the BBC reported, citing an inquest at Rochdale Coroner’s Court.

In a sta​tement to PEOPLE, the Barceló Hotel Group, which owns the resort, wrote that the group “has a strict food hygiene and safety protocol that includes rigorous internal controls and periodic external audits performed by an independent company renowned in food safety. This control system guarantees compliance with applicable regulations and our company’s stringent quality standards.”

The statement added that the group holds “certificates from the aforementioned external audit company confirming that no Salmonella has been detected at the hotel in the last twelve months. These audits and controls reflect our ongoing commitment to the health and safety of guests.”

Leslie and his wife Julie, 60, from Little Lever in the U.K. town of Bolton, booked the vacation through the British airline and vacation provider, Jet2, the outlet stated.

Leslie had first started experiencing symptoms, including diarrhoea, on Oct. 9, 2024, nine days after the couple arrived at the resort, per the BBC. 

He was sent to a local clinic after being seen by the in-resort doctor on Oct. 12 of that year. He was admitted to the hospital the following day after his condition deteriorated, the BBC reported.

Leslie was later placed into an induced coma after suffering sepsis, and doctors then said there was nothing else they could do for him, the outlet noted.

Per the Manchester Evening News, Leslie died hours after his life-support machine was turned off on Nov. 4 of last year. After Leslie was admitted to the hospital, he developed complications, including sepsis and kidney failure, per the outlet.

At the inquest, the coroner concluded that Leslie, whose body was flown back to the U.K. on Nov. 12 of last year, died from food poisoning after eating partially cooked chicken on vacation, per the BBC.

“The inquest found Leslie died of multi-organ failure as a result of sepsis, caused by Salmonella,” a message on Irwin Mitchell’s website — which is the law firm representing Leslie’s family — stated.

Julie, who is a retired nurse, also fell seriously ill after contracting Salmonella during the trip, the Manchester Evening News reported. She spent a week in the hospital.

Julie, who had been married to Leslie for 38 years, said after the hearing: “It’s almost impossible to find the words to describe the last few months and trying to come to terms with Leslie’s death,” per the outlet.

“Leslie was such a loving and caring husband and dad. He was my best friend and life without him will never be the same. I still struggle to comprehend how we went on [vacation], but Leslie didn’t come home,” she added.

Julie shared, “Listening to the evidence has been difficult but it was something I was determined to do to [honor] Leslie’s memory.”

Solicitor Jennifer Hodgson, who is representing Leslie’s family, said in a statement published on her law firm Irwin Mitchell’s website, “Julie and the rest of her family remain devastated by Leslie’s death and the circumstances surrounding it.”

“Understandably, they’ve had a number of concerns about how Leslie contracted his infection. Sadly, the inquest has validated their concerns, hearing worrying evidence,” she added. “What happened to Leslie vividly highlights the impact of Salmonella and why it, and other gastric illnesses, should never be downplayed.”

“While nothing can make up for the ordeal Julie and her family have been through, it’s now vital that lessons are learned to improve hygiene for other holidaymakers in the future,” the lawyer insisted. “We continue to support Julie at this distressing time.”

In its statement to PEOPLE, the Barceló Hotel Group ensured that it “remains committed to transparency and guest safety. We will continue to take all the necessary measures to guarantee the highest quality and wellness standards at our hotels.”

Rochdale Coroner’s Court and Jet2 didn’t immediately respond after being contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.