Couples suing Fred Olsen cruise firm over norovirus outbreaks

Luxury cruise operator Fred Olsen is facing a massive legal action over claims holidaymakers picked up the deadly norovirus sickness bug on one of its ships.

One couple from near Oswestry and another from near Craven Arms are among 134 people suing the liner over claims their holidays were wrecked by an outbreak of the bug.

Roy and Betty Hilton of Llanrhaeadr, and Brian and Catherine Kidd, of Leintwardine, claim they were among 134 victims of nine outbreaks of the virus on the 880-passenger cruise liner Boudicca between October 2009 and April 2010.

One claim is by a woman who says her husband died as a result. It is believed the case could potentially cost the company millions of pounds in compensation.

The claimants say their symptoms included nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, wind, lethargy, fever, weight loss, and bloating, and some passengers still suffer from post infective irritable bowel syndrome.

The writ has been issued at the High Court in London. No court date has yet been fixed.