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Grandmother Dies After Contaminated Hot Tub Holiday
4 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Woman died from Legionnaires' disease contracted from a hot tub.
- Hot tub water was described as cloudy, smelly, and green.
- Family reported illness and rashes to cottage owners after stay.
A birthday getaway on the Isle of Wight ended in tragedy for Paulette Crookes, 70, who died in March 2020 from Legionnaires' disease. She had been celebrating her birthday with 10 relatives at a rented cottage featuring a hot tub, which the family used multiple times.
Concerns arose when the family noticed the hot tub water appeared cloudy, had a musty odor, and was discolored. Following their stay, several family members experienced illness and rashes, which doctors reportedly attributed to the poorly maintained hot tub. The family communicated their concerns to the cottage management.
Mrs. Crookes' condition worsened after returning home, leading to hospitalization and her eventual death. Although environmental health teams investigated, they found no positive results at the specific cottage, but other hot tubs on the site did record poor readings. An inquest is underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding her death.
