Brits warned over balcony deaths
A campaign has been launched to help put a halt to balcony accidents after the deaths of three Brits so far in 2012.
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Balcony fall victim highlights dangers
Young people travelling out to resorts will be handed leaflets which include the story of 18-year-old Jake Evans from Liverpool. He narrowly survived a fall from a seventh floor balcony last year. Speaking to ITV1's Daybreak he said:
I was on a balcony with a couple of friends and I did the balcony step down and I asked a guy off the balcony below to throw me a lighter. I was quite drunk, I tried to grab the lighter and I went over head-first. I woke up on a sun lounger, which actually saved my life.
Mr Evans suffered a fractured skull, split both his eyelids open, had a cut to his face and smashed his teeth through his lip, as well as snapping his wrist and fingers, suffering leg damage and seriously injuring his back.
Brits warned over balcony deaths
Record numbers of young British people have fallen from balconies while on holiday abroad so far this year, it has been revealed.
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Brits warned over holiday balcony falls
A campaign has been launched to help put a halt to balcony accidents after the deaths of three Brits so far in 2012. Daybreak's Michelle Morrison reports.
Foreign Office releases video warning young people to stay safe abroad
There have been 13 incidents of young people falling from balconies so far this year, it has been revealed.
In this video, released the Foreign Office, Jake tells the story of how he survived a balcony fall in Magaluf.
The video accompanies a short radio feature which will go out today across radio stations in the UK and on buses which transfer holiday-makers to resorts.
Three million young Brits heading abroad this summer
- ABTA predicts around 3 million young holidaymakers will head overseas this summer with Spain, Greece and Turkey favourite destinations.
- Young people travelling out to resorts will be handed leaflets which warn of the dangers abroad.
Increase in Brits dying in balcony deaths
– Paul Abrey, Consul in the BalearicsWe've already seen some tragic cases this summer which have had devastating consequences for the individuals and families concerned.
This year there's been a particular spike early on in the holiday season with figures already matching last years.
Some people have fallen whilst climbing to a friends apartment, others have simply lost their footing after a few too many drinks and a few have deliberately jumped off aiming for the pool below.
It should go without saying these practices are extremely dangerous and can cost them their life or leave them permanently disabled.
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Brits urged to stay safe on holiday
The ABTA/Foreign Office will distribute leaflets with the following message:
- Never sit or lean over the balcony rail.
- Do not try to pass items to someone on another balcony.
- Do not attempt to climb from one balcony to another.
- Never stand on balcony furniture.
- And never jump into the pool from your balcony
The sad fallout from holiday balcony deaths
- There have been 13 incidents of young people falling from balconies so far this year.
- Three of these cases resulted in death while others have been seriously injured.
- In Majorca and Ibiza, for instance, two of UKs top tourist destinations, there have been 9 cases - already matching figures for 2011, despite only being half way through the season.
- Most incidents involve young people between the ages of 18 and 35 and whilst not always the case, alcohol often plays a part.
British tourists warned over balcony deaths
Record numbers of young British people have fallen from balconies while on holiday abroad so far this year, it has been revealed.
Three Britons have died during a total of 13 incidents to date in 2012. Nine of those have happened in Majorca and Ibiza, already matching figures for 2011.