Posted on 12/01/2021 12:02:05 PM PST by nickcarraway
The family of a teenager who died after falling at a Magaluf resort have spoke about the lack of support they received
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The parents of a teenager who died after falling at a Magaluf resort have called for more support for recently-bereaved people and described their "traumatic" experience.
Thomas Channon, 18, was celebrating his A-levels with friends in the holiday resort when he fell seven floors over a two-foot-wall and died in 2018.
Speaking to BBC Wales Radio today, his parents Ceri and John have described the support as "an absolute nightmare".
Read more:Cardiff University told to change exam system after student took her own life wrongly thinking she had failed
Being left on hold over the phone to the British Consulate, Ceri described it as "horrendous" as she listened to Abba music whilst trying to learn more information surrounding her son's death.
After campaigning to ensure similar experiences are prevented following a fatality abroad, a new scheme will be piloted in the Balearic Islands next year.
'Tom's Check' is part of a new training programme for British consulate staff aimed at holiday-goers safety when abroad and appropriate support is in place for bereaved families.
It follows after an inquest found Thomas Channon's death "could have been prevented" if appropriate measures had been taken following a death in similar circumstances five weeks before.
Speaking to BBC Wales Radio today, John Channon said the scheme was put in place to learn from the lessons his family endured.
"There will be something positive introduced to try and prevent anything like that happening again and will be in Tom's name" he said.
The scheme aimed at taking appropriate measures both abroad and at home hopes to raise awareness of the dangers going on holiday for young people as plans to help encourage the lessons being taught in the school curriculum.
Speaking to presenter Claire Summers, the parents highlighted the lack of support for bereaved families for deaths abroad and emphasised communication needed to be improved.
"It was an absolute nightmare, what we have secured now is that it will never ever happen to another family" said Ceri, adding "but should it happen they will never have to face what we have today".
Whilst on hold to the consulate, Ceri says an Abba song was played whilst trying to gather more information following her son's death.
Danger Man is good also but I am more partial to the Saint.
To each his own I suppose.
Young people are going to do stupid things.
If they think they’re gonna find a way to stop all of it they are out of their minds.
There is no instant cure for stupid, only age and experience. For example I bet neither he or any of his friends are gonna play around near a 2 foot wall, seven stories up, again.
Probably, but "he fell seven floors over a two-foot-wall." That doesn't sound like a very safe situation. Plus, I'm sure the resort has a bar (or multiple bars), so the likelihood he was drinking hardly absolves them.
As per Wikipedia regarding the Spanish resort of Magaluf:
“The resort focuses almost exclusively on British binge drinking tourism, with extremely low alcohol and fast food (fish and chips) prices, and British staffed medical emergency centres located close to bar areas.”
Maybe some Hank Williams?
Kinda like what a fat gal and moped have in common. They’re both a lot of fun to ride just don’t let your buddies find out.
They are highly regarded by other musicians. By Classical musicians etc.
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