Egypt hotel deaths – mystery deepens as post-mortem on Brit couple who died suddenly on Thomas Cook holiday reveals E.coli might NOT have killed them
Egyptian authorities said E.coli bacteria killed John and Susan Cooper but post-mortems back in Britain have proven 'inconclusive', lawyers said today
THE mystery surrounding the deaths of a Brit couple in Egypt has deepened after a UK post-mortem revealed E.coli might not have killed them, lawyers said today.
John and Susan Cooper, from Burnley, Lancs, died on August 21 while holidaying at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada.
Forensic examinations carried out by the authorities in Egypt reported the cause of deaths as being linked to E.coli bacteria.
But this was dismissed by the couple's daughter Kelly Ormerod last week - a view shared by Hugh Pennington, a world expert in the bug.
And the family's legal team today revealed further Home Office post-mortems had proven "inconclusive".
Further tests are expected to be carried out.
The statement from Smith Jones solicitors said: "We can confirm that a Home Office post-mortem has now been carried out on John and Susan Cooper.
"Unfortunately, notwithstanding the 'positive', though contradictory, assertions of the Egyptian authorities, the results of that post-mortem were inconclusive, and the pathologist was unable to ascertain the likely cause of death in either case.
"It is understood that further toxicological screening and other relevant tests will now be carried out as a matter of urgency to aid that process.
"An inquest is to be opened on September 18 and the family are certain that the Coroner will undertake a rigorous investigation of all the circumstances surrounding the deaths to enable answers to be provided.
"Kelly and her family remain committed to establishing the true cause of John and Susan's deaths and holding those responsible to account.
"They look forward to assisting the Coroner in whatever way they can with what they acknowledge will be a difficult and complex task."
Ms Ormerod, 40, has said she has "no faith" in the Egyptian authorities, who said their examinations showed Mr Cooper, 69, suffered acute intestinal dysentery caused by E.coli.
The examinations also apparently showed Mrs Cooper, a 63-year-old Thomas Cook employee, suffered a complication linked to infection, likely to have been caused by E.coli.
They said the bodies of the couple showed "no criminal violence" and other tests of air and water at the hotel found nothing unusual.
Thomas Cook's own tests identified a high level of E.coli at the hotel, which would "explain the raised level of illness reported among guests".
But the firm said the independent specialists it commissioned to carry out the tests, and Dr Vanya Gant from University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, did not believe the results "shed any light" on the cause of the Coopers' deaths.
Thomas Cook moved 300 guests out of the hotel 24 hours after the couple died as a precaution.
Inquests into the deaths of the couple are expected to be opened and adjourned at Preston Coroner's Court on Tuesday.
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