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| Drink sensibly, warns Foreign Office after several Brits die in balcony falls | Drink sensibly, warns Foreign Office after several Brits die in balcony falls |
| (8 months later) | |
| Three young British people have died and 10 others been seriously injured in falls from hotel and apartment balconies while on holiday this year, prompting warnings from the Foreign Office and travel industry to act and drink more sensibly. | Three young British people have died and 10 others been seriously injured in falls from hotel and apartment balconies while on holiday this year, prompting warnings from the Foreign Office and travel industry to act and drink more sensibly. |
| Nine accidents have happened in Majorca and Ibiza, equalling last year's figures even though it is only half way through the season. Most involve holidaymakers between 18 and 35 and alcohol is often a factor. | Nine accidents have happened in Majorca and Ibiza, equalling last year's figures even though it is only half way through the season. Most involve holidaymakers between 18 and 35 and alcohol is often a factor. |
| About 3 million young people are expected to holiday abroad this summer with Spain, Greece and Turkey the favourite destinations. Those travelling to resorts are being handed leaflets about the dangers. They include the story of Jake Evans, 18, from Liverpool, who in May last year fell seven stories from a balcony in Magaluf, Majorca, after too many drinks and survived to tell the tale. | About 3 million young people are expected to holiday abroad this summer with Spain, Greece and Turkey the favourite destinations. Those travelling to resorts are being handed leaflets about the dangers. They include the story of Jake Evans, 18, from Liverpool, who in May last year fell seven stories from a balcony in Magaluf, Majorca, after too many drinks and survived to tell the tale. |
| "I needed a lighter for a cigarette so I asked the balcony below. He threw a lighter up. I went to grab it, leaned out over the balcony and just went head first. I hit six or seven balconies on the way down and landed on plastic sun lounger." | "I needed a lighter for a cigarette so I asked the balcony below. He threw a lighter up. I went to grab it, leaned out over the balcony and just went head first. I hit six or seven balconies on the way down and landed on plastic sun lounger." |
| He suffered a fractured skull, wrist and fingers, cuts on his face, split both eyelids and other injuries. "I am very lucky. I shouldn't be alive." | He suffered a fractured skull, wrist and fingers, cuts on his face, split both eyelids and other injuries. "I am very lucky. I shouldn't be alive." |
| In April this year, 28-year-old Benjamin Harper, from Twickenham, south-west London, fell to his death while on a stag do at the four-star Sol Antillas hotel in Magaluf. The roofer is thought to have gone out on to the balcony for a cigarette before leaning over. | In April this year, 28-year-old Benjamin Harper, from Twickenham, south-west London, fell to his death while on a stag do at the four-star Sol Antillas hotel in Magaluf. The roofer is thought to have gone out on to the balcony for a cigarette before leaning over. |
| In May, British tourist Charlotte Faris, 23, also plunged to her death during the early hours of the morning in Magaluf. | In May, British tourist Charlotte Faris, 23, also plunged to her death during the early hours of the morning in Magaluf. |
| Paul Abrey, the head of the British consulate for the Balearic Islands, said: "This year there's been a particular spike early on in the holiday season with figures already matching last year's. Some people have fallen whilst climbing to a friend's 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. | Paul Abrey, the head of the British consulate for the Balearic Islands, said: "This year there's been a particular spike early on in the holiday season with figures already matching last year's. Some people have fallen whilst climbing to a friend's 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. Many young people also arrive without travel insurance. The FCO can't pay medical bills and holidaymakers may end up paying out thousands for medical bills and flights back to the UK." | "It should go without saying these practices are extremely dangerous and can cost them their life or leave them permanently disabled. Many young people also arrive without travel insurance. The FCO can't pay medical bills and holidaymakers may end up paying out thousands for medical bills and flights back to the UK." |
| Nikki White, the head of destinations and sustainability for travel body Abta, said parents were often having to raise large amounts of money to get their children home. | Nikki White, the head of destinations and sustainability for travel body Abta, said parents were often having to raise large amounts of money to get their children home. |
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