News

Third British holidaymaker dies falling from Magaluf balcony

A teenager has become the third British holidaymaker to be killed after falling from a balcony at a hotel in Magaluf.

Eighteen-year-old Thomas Channon, from Rhoose in Wales, fell 70ft at the Eden Roc apartment complex in the Majorca resort.

He was celebrating the end of his A-levels at the party resort.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued a statement on Saturday saying: “We are assisting the family of a British man who has died in Mallorca, and are in contact with the Spanish authorities.”

Channon was staying at the nearby Universal Hotel Florida and Spanish police believe he wandered into the complex after losing his friends at around 4am local time on Thursday.

His body was found later by a gardener.

A mother of one of the teenagers on holiday with Mr Channon, who did not want to be named, told ther BBC: “We went to where Thomas fell and the wall is way too low. It’s about knee height.

“When you look at it there are loads of trees and bushes beyond the wall which gives the impression there’s a garden, but there’s actually a 70ft drop.

“Three kids dying here this year is just unbelievable. We’re furious.”

Twenty-year-old Tom Hughes, from Wrexham, also died last month after falling about 65ft from the apartment block.

An inquest has been opened into his death with the cause of death to be determined.

Natalie Cormack, 19, from Scotland, fell to her death from the seventh floor in April.

Spanish police said she fell while trying to climb into her apartment from a friend’s flat.

The FCO and Abta last month warned British holidaymakers about taking risks on hotel balconies abroad.

Abta members reported 12 balcony accidents overseas last year, including one fatality.

“Many accidents occur due to holidaymakers taking risks, such as climbing from one balcony to another or jumping into the pool from their balcony, and after drinking alcohol,” Abta said.

“Young people are particularly at risk – with seven of the nine accidents reported in the media involving teenagers or those in their 20s.”

FCO consular director Julia Longbottom said: “Unfortunately, we have already seen a number of fatalities and very serious injuries caused by balcony falls this summer. We really do urge people to avoid taking risks around balconies.”

Share article

View Comments

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.