The 18-year-old Polish girl who died from blood poisoning following an untreated bowel infection did not want to call a doctor to treat what she thought was a normal stomach bug, Times of Malta has learnt.

This was confirmed by forensic sources and Karen Bugeja, managing director of Plevna Hotel, in Sliema, where Izabela Poniedzialek was staying.

“The group leader is very dedicated and caring and she did her best to look after her,” Ms Bugeja said.

She said the teenager’s Polish group leader had told her she repeatedly offered to call a doctor and was in contact with Ms Poniedzialek’s mother about her condition. She even spoke to her on Monday evening; the teenager died on Tuesday.

The girl refused to see a doctor even though over-the-counter medication did not stop her diarrhoea and vomiting, Ms Bugeja said, adding she did not know why she made that decision. Friends remembered Ms Poniedzialek as being friendly, but shy.

More on Times of Malta and timesofmalta.com Premium. 

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