Furious parents demand probe into school ski trip from hell that saw 70 Brit children come down with vomiting bug at Italian hotel including boy, 13, who lost a stone in just five days

The parents of a teenager whose idyllic school skiing holiday in the Italian Alps turned into a nightmare after he and his classmates were struck down by a violent gastric illness have called on lawyers to investigate the ski company.

Nicholas Brunozzi, whose son Valentino was among 70 pupils and nine teachers who reportedly fell ill with a brutal stomach bug during the spring trip to the four-star Hotel Piandineve in Passo del Tonale, is one of several disgruntled adults demanding answers for the ordeal their children endured. 

The week-long holiday from March 30 - April 5 was booked through tour operator Skibound, and was the first-ever Alpine holiday for many of the group. 

But Valentino, 13, and several of his classmates spent 48 hours confined to their hotel rooms suffering severe stomach cramps and constant vomiting just two days after their arrival at the hotel. 

Despite his parents' pleas that Valentino should be taken to a doctor, the teenager wasn't seen by a medical professional until his return home when Nicholas, 57, took him to see a GP in Gainsborough several days later. 

By that point, he had lost more than a stone in weight, while another student was rushed to hospital in Brescia after their condition worsened. 

Nicholas and two other families have instructed specialist international serious injury lawyers from law firm Irwin Mitchell to investigate and secure answers as to how their children fell ill.

The legal experts are now investigating whether the tour operator could have done more to prevent the illnesses and provide more timely access to medical treatment. 

On returning home, Valentino told his parents a number of things that left them feeling very concerned about where the party had been staying.

He said he witnessed some instances of food being dropped on the floor and put back by staff to later be sold, while the chicken appeared to be undercooked. 

There were also reports that staff told the guests that tap water was safe to drink, only to later change their minds and instruct them to buy bottled water.

Nicholas said: 'We thought we were sending our son off on an adventure of a lifetime, to have experiences that he'd never forget, but we never imagined this would be the result.

'For so many to fall ill and one pupil to be taken to hospital is extremely disturbing. I know I want answers and I think many of the parents and no doubt the teachers themselves would also like answers over what happened.

'Valentino has lost so much weight and came back a shadow of the young man who went off on a school skiing holiday.

'We've also heard that another school that was there before ours had a similar experience to our children and that the hotel had sick guests for three weeks before our children arrived. If the tour operator knew there was a problem, the trip should have cancelled or postponed.

'We're just relieved our children are home. It sounds like this could have been far worse. I just hope that by speaking out other children or parents don't have to face a similar situation going forward.'

Valentino had been looking forward to the ski trip with the school for some time, seeing it as an opportunity to go on holiday away with friends and a chance to improve his ski skills.

But on April 1, Valentino and more than 70 other students and teachers fell violently ill.

A doctor in Brescia was summoned to inspect some of the victims at the hotel but only saw a handful of those afflicted. A second doctor was later called to administer some treatment but many students, including Valentino, were reportedly not seen. 

Valentino was still ill upon his return to the UK on April 5 and his parents were so shocked by his appearance that they took him to see his GP. 

He was still unable to keep food down and had lost over a stone in weight. 

It took two weeks before he started to feel better, but his parents claim he has not yet returned to his usual self.

Another concerned parent said she was informed by her child that when someone was sick in the dining room, staff cleaned up but did not move any of the diners out of the way and encouraged them to keep eating. 

There was also allegedly stains of 'old' vomit on walls in one of the rooms allocated to the students that was only cleaned when it was pointed out to hotel staff.

Nadhia Akthar, the specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the disgruntled parents, said: 'The details we have heard about this school ski trip to Italy from parents and pupils is deeply concerning.

'It's every parent's worst nightmare to hear their children have fallen ill overseas. Understandably, Nicholas and our other clients have many questions concerning what happened.

'The effects of gastric illness should never be downplayed as they can lead to long-term health implications. That a pupil was admitted to hospital demonstrates the seriousness of this sickness outbreak.

'In addition to being so ill, many of the party missed out on what was meant to be a first time away from home for some and the holiday of a lifetime, which will now be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

'Tour operators have a legal duty to ensure the wellbeing and safety of their customers and we're now investigating whether Skibound took all appropriate measures.

'If during our investigation, any issues are identified, it's vital lessons are learned so others don't suffer a similar experience.

'We would be interested in speaking to anyone who may have been impacted by this outbreak who would be able to assist with our investigations.'

MailOnline has contacted Skibound for comment.