A family holiday to Egypt ended in a medical emergency after a seven‑year‑old boy from Worcestershire became seriously ill and was diagnosed with a life‑threatening kidney condition. Alexandra and Michael Bradshaw were holidaying with their son Finn and daughter at a 4.5‑star hotel in Hurghada when he began to show signs of illness.
What initially appeared to be a mild stomach upset while abroad worsened significantly during the flight home, with Finn repeatedly vomiting. O n returning to the UK, Finn’s condition continued to deteriorate and he became jaundiced. He was admitted to Worcestershire Royal Hospital, where tests revealed acute kidney failure and he was urgently transferred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for specialist nephrology intervention.
Finn was immediately taken to theatre for a dialysis line to be put in. Doctors diagnosed Finn with Haemolytic‑Uraemic Syndrome (HUS), a rare but serious condition frequently linked to E. coli infections and one of the leading causes of acute kidney failure in children. Finn required emergency dialysis and remained in hospital for weeks.
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He has since missed several weeks of school. When he was initially able to return, he was only well enough to attend on a gradual basis. Alexandra and Michael, both nurses, have had to take time away from their jobs to care for their son.
The family has now instructed expert international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how Finn’s E. Coli infection was contracted during their holiday, which cost more than £2,400.
Jatinder Paul, serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Finn and his family, said: “Alexandra and Michael experienced every parent’s worst fear. Finn’s experience would have been terrifying, particularly for someone so young.
“While Haemolytic‑Uraemic Syndrome is rare, it’s extremely serious and predominantly affects vulnerable people such as children and the elderly. The condition is most commonly associated with E. Coli which is often linked to the ingestion of contaminated food or water. In many cases it can lead to long‑term health complications and, tragically, in some instances it can be fatal.
“Nothing can now undo what Finn and his parents have been through, but we’re committed to providing them with the answers they deserve and securing Finn the specialist support and rehab he may require in future.”
The Bradshaw family arrived at the resort on 7 November 2025 for a week-long all‑inclusive holiday.
During their stay, Alexandra and Michael say they noticed poor hygiene standards in the hotel restaurant, including food being left uncovered for hours while cats and birds moved freely around the area. Birds were also often seen landing on and eating uncovered food at the pool bar.
Both Alexandra and Finn began to feel unwell during the holiday. They returned home on 14 November 2025, and Finn was admitted to hospital on 20 November after his condition worsened.
Alexandra, said: “We were absolutely terrified. Being told his diagnosis and then sitting there, praying he was going to be okay while he underwent emergency dialysis, is something no parent should ever have to go through.
“I also felt poorly while we were away and put it down to mild food poisoning but my symptoms were short lived. My focus was entirely on my son, and I never in a million years imagined something like this could happen.
“We’d never heard of Haemolytic-Uraemic Syndrome but when the doctors explained what it was and how it can be fatal and can affect both the kidneys and brain, it felt like our world stopped. Finn’s illness has had a huge impact on him and our family. The whole experience was deeply traumatic.
“We thought we had done everything right as parents. We were looking forward to making happy memories with our son – making friends and enjoying our time together. It’s heartbreaking that this is what the holiday will always be remembered for.”
Michael, said: “It’s been months since it happened and we are still trying to recover from it all. It’s not just Finn’s physical health – although he’s still not completely back to himself – it’s the emotional toll this has taken on our entire family. It’s difficult to find the words to describe what it was like to see your little boy hooked up to a machine.
“Finn still isn’t right but it was such a relief to get him home from hospital. We can’t thank the doctors enough for everything they did to help Finn. However, the least we feel we deserve is answers as to how Finn fell ill on holiday.”
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