Welsh Tourist Injured in Holiday Accident
A tourist from Wales has been seriously injured whilst on holiday in Magaluf. The 28-year-old was on the first day of his holiday when he slipped by the swimming pool, hit his head and almost drowned in the water. His friend found him a few minutes later, motionless in the pool.
Quoted in a statement to the press he explained how at first he feared the worst:
“He looked dead – I can see his face now. I’ve had nightmares…”
Emergency services were called and the critically injured holidaymaker was rushed to hospital where he regained consciousness. He is expected to recover, but medical staff in the Spanish hospital believe he may never walk again. Friends and family are raising money so he transported to his home near Ebbw Vale, Wales, home, to be close to the people he loves.
In media interviews, friends and family told how the 28 year old factory worker had suffered ‘troubles’ in recent years – losing both of his parents in quick succession. The holiday was meant to be a rest to help lift his spirits. One friend who travelled to Magaluf with him said “He was all excited. He was like a bottle of pop”
Swimming Pools: The Holiday Accident Danger
The 28-year-old’s story is far from unusual. Swimming pools, Jacuzzis and water parks are a serious holiday accident risk.
Each year thousands of British people are injured in swimming pools, both at home and overseas. Children are the most at risk, but many adults are critically injured in swimming pool accidents every year.
Common causes of poolside injuries are:
· Slips and trips by the side of the pool
· Swimming whilst drunk or intoxicated
· Loose tiles on the side of the pool
· Poor maintenance of the pool
· Puddles of water that are not marked with hazard signs
· Slipping from ladders whilst entering or leaving the pool
· Colliding with other pool users
· Head injury on the side of the swimming pool
· Difficulties when swimming – cramping, choking or drowning.
Tripping and Slipping Danger
In the case of the injured Welsh tourist, it is believed his life threatening holiday accident was caused by a simple poolside slip.
His friend was quoted in the media, saying: “When I seen him the next day in hospital I asked him what was wrong and he said he must have crossed his foot over and could not get his balance.
“He hit his head on the side of the swimming pool.”
This type of fall can be particularly dangerous as they often come ‘out of the blue’ and give people little time to protect themselves from the impact.
Next to water, holiday accident slips and trips can be fatal, particularly if the person looses consciousness. Many trips and slips are unavoidable accidents, but some are caused by negligent swimming pool owners. There have been many cases of pools in such bad repair that it is hazardous to walk alongside them.
Loose tiles, damaged floors and broken equipment such as ladders and slides are the sign of a swimming pool in bad repair. When faced with such a dangerous situation – tourists have a right to demand that the hazards are fixed.
If a holiday accident in a dangerous swimming pool has led to health problems, then personal injury compensation can often be recovered.