FCO, ABTA launch balcony campaign
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The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and ABTA have launched a new campaign to help prevent balcony incidents in popular holiday resorts.
The campaign comes after the number of cases in Majorca and Ibiza this year, nine, has already reached levels since across the entire of 2011. Incidents mainly involve young people and alcohol, although not in all cases.
Young people travelling out to Spain, Greece and Turkey will be handed leaflets telling the story of 18-year-old Jake Evans who narrowly survived a seventh-floor balcony fall last year (see below video). It will also send out a feature to radio stations and has posted the story on YouTube to encourage sensible behavior while on holiday.
“We’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 year’s,” warned Paul Abrey, Consul in the Balearics.
“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,” he added.
See Jake’s story below.
