From Joy to Despair: Brit’s Dream Proposal Turns into a Race Against Time on Holiday

Steven Percy booked what was meant to be a swoon-worthy escape to Montenegro—a four-star retreat, heartfelt vows in the air, and that perfect moment where he’d get down on one knee. But life, as it so often does, tossed a wrench in the plan just hours after the proposal. Instead of basking in post-engagement bliss, Steven found himself fighting for his life, struck down by Legionnaires’ disease—a nasty bacterial infection lurking in places you’d least expect, like air conditioning or spas. The timing? I mean, who falls seriously ill right after turning a romantic getaway into a lifelong commitment? Talk about plot twists no one asked for! Now, after four grueling months in hospital and a tough road ahead, Steven and his partner Karen are determined to get to the bottom of what really happened during their so-called “holiday of a lifetime.” Because when a trip to paradise turns into a health crisis, you deserve answers—not just the souvenir fridge magnet. LEARN MORE

When British holidaymaker Steven Percy booked a getaway to Montenegro for himself and his partner, he envisioned a romantic getaway culminating in getting down on one knee…

Unfortunately the trip was derailed when the 67-year-old fell ill just hours after popping the question, leaving him ‘lucky to be alive’ after developing complications due to a life-threatening condition.

The 67-year-old year old had whisked his partner Karen, 53, away for a break to a four-star resort in Montenegro on what was supposed to be the holiday of a lifetime.

“I went on that holiday as the happiest man alive, but my life now is totally different,” he said of the fateful holiday.

But just hours after popping the question to Karen, Steven started developing flu-like symptoms.

Steven and Karen pictured on their holiday (SWNS)

‘It was unclear if I would survive’

Steven’s health would take a turn for the worse after the pair flew home to York, with the funeral director being rushed to hospital just days later. It was here that he was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, a serious bacterial infection that you can get from inhaling droplets of water from things like air conditioning or hot tubs.

He was then placed in an induced coma and faced further complications after his body developed sepsis and went into a state of multiple organ failure.

Steven would spend a total of four months in hospital before being transferred to a neuro rehabilitation centre for a further two weeks, which saw him needing to be fed through a tube due to issues with swallowing.

“I don’t remember much about my time in hospital, but it’s terrible to imagine what Karen and our families went through, as doctors told them I was critically ill, and it was unclear if I would survive,” he said.

However the 67-year-old was left fighting for his life after developing Legionnaires (SWNS)

‘We deserve some answers’

Sharing further details about his long and difficult recovery process, which has seen him unable to return to work, Steven continued: “My recovery continues to be a difficult journey, but I’m determined not to give up and I want back the job, and the life, I had before.

“My lethargy and weakness are hard to cope with, as is the memory loss, and there’s so much concern about whether my lungs are permanently damaged.”

The couple have since enlisted support from international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate whether or not his illness was linked to the couples’ stay at Palmon Bay Hotel and Spa in the Balkan nation, which had been booked through Jet2holidays.

“We can’t change what happened, but we deserve some answers over how I came to be so ill,” he added.

Commenting on the case, Irwin Mitchell’s Jennifer Hodgson said: “Steven’s account of his holiday and the aftermath of being diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease is extremely worrying.

The couple have now enlisted Irwin Mitchell to investigate whether or not his illness can be linked to their stay at Palmon Bay Hotel and Spa (Getty Stock Images)

“Understandably, Steven has a number of questions as to how he came to fall so dangerously ill, on what was meant to be a special holiday to propose to his partner, Karen.”

She continued: “As part of our work and to assist with our investigations, we would be keen to hear from anyone else who may also have been affected by illness whilst staying at the Palmon Bay Hotel and Spa, Montenegro.”

LADbible has approached Jet2Holidays and the Palmon Bay Hotel and Spa for comment.