Complaint already on beds in tragedy
Aug 10 2005
By Louise Redvers, The Evening Chronicle
Tour company My Travel had already received complaints about the fold-down beds which killed two sisters in a Benidorm apartment.
Alice Wardle, 67, and Mildred Bowman, 62, from Low Fell, Gateshead, died when the wooden frame of the bed collapsed on top of them while they slept.
Their devastated relatives are now considering legal action.
But today the Chronicle can reveal this is not the first time questions have been raised over the beds' safety.
Frank and Anne Kelly complained to staff at Levante Club apartments during their stay in April because they said the beds were dangerous and their room too small.
The couple, 60 and 55, cut short their holiday and were later paid £142 in compensation by My Travel.
Mildred's daughter Carole Gregory, 44, who was Alice's god-daughter, said: "Someone has got to be responsible for this.
"We have got legal representation in Benidorm and are determined to find out what happened.
"Nobody should die this way. The family is determined to get justice."
Mrs Gregory, of Harlow Green, Gateshead, said she was shocked by claims My Travel had already received complaints about the beds.
"There's no way elderly people like my mum and aunt should have to pull down heavy beds like these," she said.
"And I am shocked to hear My Travel had already had complaints about the beds but still gave the rooms to older people."
Mr and Mrs Kelly, from Bootle, near Liverpool, had been treated to the break by family for Frank's 60th birthday after he'd been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The retired lorry driver said: "I was shocked and horrified when I saw what had happened to Mrs Wardle and Mrs Bowman.
"I thought the beds were very awkward and dangerous because they were so heavy to pull down and the rooms were very small.
"There were no instructions and we didn't know you had to pull out the legs underneath, the room was so cramped when the bed was down it hard to see what to do."
It's thought Mildred, a retired council cleaner, and Alice, a retired bakery worker, went for a lie-down after a day in the sun on Sunday July 28.
Alice's daughter, Allison Gibbons, who was also holidaying in Benidorm with husband Peter, sons John, 12, and David, 16, and David's 16-year-old girlfriend Ashleigh, became worried when the women failed to meet them as planned.
They found the women dead in their bed after staff at the apartment block to forced lock to get into the room. My Travel said the beds at the apartments are used throughout Spain.
The company declined to comment on the Kelly's claims but admitted they had paid out compensation.
A spokeswoman said: "Thousands of people stay at the Levante Club Apartments every year and the overwhelming majority of customers are very happy with the standard of accommodation.
"The safety of all our guests is our highest priority.
"We have acted quickly to the problems following the tragic deaths of Mrs Wardle and Mrs Bowman by removing all customers staying in these studio style apartments from the property.
"A full team of health and safety experts is currently working to investigate the safety of the beds.
"Passengers due to arrive at this property, staying in these studio apartments in the coming weeks have been transferred to alternative accommodation - this will remain the case until all investigations are complete.
"The Kellys' complaint and the tragic deaths of Mrs Wardle and Mrs Bowman have brought the pull-down beds into question."
The bodies are expected to be flown back to the North East at the end of the week for a private family funeral.
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