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Couple to sue First Choice over holiday attack

Court proceedings are poised to start against First Choice by a couple attacked at the Dominican Republic’s Bahia Principe Hotel – the same property at the centre of last year’s illness outbreak.


Chris and Winifred Hyde are suing First Choice for failing to ensure adequate security. They were robbed at gun and knife-point in their hotel room in June 2007.


Solicitor Andrew Morton of law firm Pannone said court proceedings were imminent. He said: “First Choice has not given any indication it will admit liability. We will proceed with court proceedings.”


The firm has dealt with “similar” cases in the Caribbean, said Morton. Recently a couple were murdered in their room at a resort in Antigua.


A First Choice spokeswoman said: “First Choice takes reported incidents of this type extremely seriously and would like to reassure Mr Hyde, and indeed all our customers, their health, safety and security is of paramount importance. As Mr and Mrs Hyde have decided to pursue legal action, we are unable to comment further.”


The hotel remains in its tour operator’s programme. A spokeswoman added any incident like this would lead to an “immediate review” of the property.


The Bahia Principe Hotel was among the hotels at the centre of a food illness outbreak in August 2007, which led to 1,000 holidaymakers taking legal action against several operators.


In June this year Thomas Cook agreed to pay damages to more than 450 guests who became ill while staying at the Bahia Principe Hotel last year.




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