The mother of Heather Preen, who tragically passed away from e-coli infection at a Devon beach in 1999, is urging for a meeting with PM Sir Keir Starmer to address a pressing “sewage crisis.”
Julie Maughan, resolute in her pursuit, declared, “I will persist until no other parent endures the pain that I face every day.”
Recalling the devastating loss of her daughter, Julie shared, “My daughter Heather was just eight years old when contaminated water claimed her life. She was a joyful child, filled with love, happiness, and friendship. That summer, we embarked on a family vacation of four but returned as a family of three.”
Their heart-wrenching ordeal is depicted in the impactful three-part Channel 4 series, Dirty Business, which premiered recently.
Elevate our latest news to the forefront of your Google Search results by designating us as a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or set us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
WHATSAPP GROUP: Receive financial news and exclusive deals directly on your mobile by joining our Money WhatsApp group here. Additionally, our community members enjoy special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our affiliates. If our community doesn’t suit your preferences, you can opt out at any time. For those curious, our Privacy Notice is available for review.
During a holiday trip, Julie, her then-husband Mark Preen, and their daughters witnessed Heather falling ill while playing. Notably, just before their visit to Dawlish, Devon, a nearby storm pipe had discharged waste into the sea.
Julie firmly believes that Heather’s demise, two weeks later, resulted from her contact with raw sewage, a claim disputed by South West Water.
Expressing her distrust, Julie stated, “Water authorities sought to shift blame for Heather’s passing, and even today, twenty-seven years later, they continue to discharge sewage into our water bodies. Their commitment to safeguarding our health is questionable.”
Recent data from Surfers Against Sewage suggests that sewage was released into bathing waters across England for a
