A 10-year-old boy, Hector Harvey, required surgery after sustaining severe sunburn and blisters while on holiday in Cape Verde. Despite diligently applying SPF 90 sun cream purchased from a resort shop, Hector developed blisters during the return flight. His mother, Natalie, explained they ran out of sun cream on the last day of their £3,000 TUI holiday, prompting Ben to buy more at the resort for £17.10. Initially planning to stay indoors, Hector requested to play with newfound friends, leading to the sun cream application.
The family used a ‘continuous spray sunscreen SPF 90’ by Wokall Cosmetics International, ensuring Hector reapplied it in the hot weather. However, upon landing at Birmingham Airport, Hector was admitted to Queen’s Medical Centre on August 24, discovering he had suffered 9% burns and extensive blisters. At 40 years old, Ben also experienced burns, albeit less severe. TUI is investigating the incident while Hector underwent a five-hour surgery to safely remove the blisters the following day.
Heartbroken, Natalie expressed deep regret and guilt over the incident, as it marred Hector’s holiday experiences. The traumatic ordeal has left the family cautious of the sunscreen’s effectiveness. Following surgery, Hector remains bandaged and faces restricted activities. The family’s future holiday plans will demand heightened sun protection for Hector, ensuring such a devastating situation is avoided.
The incident highlights the importance of proper sun protection and raises concerns over the efficacy of sunscreens. As the family seeks answers and grapples with the aftermath, they urge others to remain vigilant when it comes to sun safety and product reliability.