Simcha turns into tragedy
Image courtesy of Jewish Telegraph
A couple from Hendon have been left devastated after a guest at their wedding died from salmonella poisoning after their simcha.
Jennifer and Stephen Wicks, both 31, were married last month only discovered the fate of the bride's great auntie Rene Kwartz, 82, after returning from their honeymoon in Italy and Malta.
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The wedding, which took place at the Hilton Suite in Prestwich, Manchester, featured a menu including a buffet of canapes, a salmon starter, chicken soup, potatoes, vegetables, chocolate pudding and ice cream.
The bride's mother, Norma Harris, who was also taken ill but wasn't hospitalised, said the whole family are absolutely devastated. She told the Jewish News: "We're angry and confused. We're sad because it happened at my daughter's wedding, and I’ve lost an auntie."
Norma, 58, said that although the family is taking civil action, there is no proof that the food served at the wedding was the cause of the tragedy. She said: "It is early days. The caterers are still saying that it could be a guest who arrived with the illness, or a waiter. It hasn't been confirmed yet that it came from the actual food served."
Jennifer, a schoolteacher and Stephen, an accountant, are said to be "in bits".
Norma added: "We all lead a very quiet life. It's as awful as you can imagine. It has been a very difficult time. When people ask me about it, they ask me about the salmonella not how gorgeous the wedding was. My daughter can't even look at her photographs."
Clare Campbell, from Manchester lawyers Pannone LLP, confirmed that they would be taking legal action against the caterers, Shefa Mehadrin, on behalf of 20 guests, but that investigations were ongoing. "This is a terrible tragedy arising from what was supposed to have been a joyous occasion."
In a statement issued by their solicitors, the caterers said: "We would like to offer our condolences to the family of Mrs Kwartz. An investigation is currently under way, with which we are fully co operating.
"Pending the outcome of this investigation we are therefore unable to comment further at this time, other than to reassure all our customers that we always treat food safety as an issue of paramount importance."
Read the latest copy of The Jewish News Online by clicking here.
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