Farm faces legal action over E.coli

A sign at Godstone Farm in Godstone, Surrey, where there was an outbreak of E.Coli
12 April 2012

Some families affected by the E.coli outbreak at a petting farm are preparing to launch a group legal action, the mother of twins left hospitalised by the bug has said.

Godstone Farm, near Redhill, Surrey, shut on September 12 last year after visitors were diagnosed with the potentially fatal O157 strain of the bug.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) commissioned an independent investigation into its origins after 93 people fell ill.

A report into the outbreak, which is being led by George Griffin, Professor of infectious diseases and medicine at St George's, University of London, is due out on Tuesday.

Tracy Mock, of Ashford, Kent, whose two-year-old twins spent weeks in hospital fighting the bug following a visit to the farm, said: "The main reason for taking the legal action is that I feel it should be investigated; how it was handled. There could be a lot to learn, there are a lot of questions relating to it. If they had acted quickly enough we probably would not have gone to the farm."

Her son, Aaron Furnell, suffered acute kidney failure and has to be taken to the Evelina Children's hospital in London every six weeks for blood and urine tests. He still uses a feeding-tube for ingesting liquids.

Ms Mock added: "His kidney function is about 64%. His prognosis is that he could lead a normal healthy life or require help when he reaches puberty. It's possible he may need dialysis or a transplant, we just don't know. I've got to look to their future. If Aaron needs dialysis it's going to have implications for me."

Twin Todd, who has 80% kidney function, is due to have a further check up in September and more tests next year.

Jill Greenfield, a partner at law firm Field Fisher Waterhouse, is coordinating the group legal action, representing at least 25 children and one adult: "We are preparing to issue proceedings, we believe the farm was negligent. We have a number of children very seriously affected by exposure to bacteria, experiencing renal problems which could continue for some time yet."

Godstone Farm, which has since reopened, was unavailable for comment.

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