Widow accepts six-figure settlement after husband dies while snorkeling on holiday
A widow of a man who drowned while snorkeling in the Caribbean on an all-inclusive Caribbean vacation with Tui accepted a six-figure settlement days before a High Court trial.
TUI is a well-known German travel and leisure company.
Roy Fawcett, a father-of-two from Swindon, was pulled unresponsive from the sea in the Dominican Republic in 2017 aged just 58.
Roy and Sue booked a trip to Paradise Island just two days before their all-inclusive holiday ended in October 2017.
Only boat access is possible to reach this small island, which is well-known for its clear water and marine wildlife.
Sue stayed in shallow water, while Roy snorkeled with tourists. However, Roy was later seen face down, and not moving.
Members of the crowd helped get Roy onto the beach, from where he was taken by boat to the mainland and then hospital.
Sue Fawcett, his wife, filed a lawsuit against Tui, the tourist company used by the couple to book their holiday. She claimed that they had booked the Paradise Island snorkel tour with Tui. However, the tour operator said the excursion wasn’t part of their package.
In 2021 the Daily Mail reported that Sue had sued Tui for PS560,000.
An inquest into his death concluded that Roy, a project manager, died from “accidental drowning on a poorly monitored holiday excursion”.
Days before a trial in the High Court, Tui agreed on an undisclosed six-figure out-of-court settlement. It denied liability.
“While it’s more than five years since Roy’s death, the hurt and pain are as strong now as it was then,” Mrs. Fawcett, 60, said.
“I’d do anything to have Roy back but I know that’s not possible.
“Before signing up for anything I’d urge all holidaymakers to make sure they know who’s organizing any trips and what safety measures are in place.
“I can’t turn the clock back but by speaking out I just hope that I can raise awareness of what we’ve been through to potentially help others.”
Sue, a support worker, said that she and Roy only booked the trip under the impression it was provided by Tui. However, the tour operator argued the excursion didn’t form part of their package.
Tui said in a statement: “Our thoughts remain with Mrs. Fawcett and her family. As this is a legal matter it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further.”
Sue said: “I lost my husband and best friend who I thought I would grow old with. There’s not a day that goes by when I don’t think of Roy and get upset that he’s no longer in our lives.
“We had so many hopes and plans for the future and it’s difficult not to think these were snatched away from us. Birthdays and family occasions are particularly difficult and just not the same without Roy by my side.”
