Super Mario Party Jamboree
£36.95In a tragic incident during a holiday in Spain, 43-year-old Michael Parker, who had Down’s syndrome, passed away after his carer inadvertently landed on him while jumping into a swimming pool. Michael was on vacation with residents and staff members from The Grange care home in Bookham, Surrey, where he resided when the unfortunate event occurred on June 12, 2023.
According to testimony given at Surrey Coroner’s Court, the support worker, Harry Beckwith, shared that Michael had been happily dancing and jumping in and out of the pool before the accident took place. Beckwith explained how he decided to join in the fun, but tragically landed on Michael when he tried to avoid him by jumping in a different direction.
During the hearing, Beckwith recounted that after realizing Michael had sunk to the bottom of the pool, he swiftly brought him to the pool steps and sought help from a lifeguard. The group, including Beckwith and Michael, had been casually jumping into the pool the day before without any instructions against doing so.
Beckwith also mentioned that he had not received lifeguard training prior to the trip, though he had undergone safety training related to the care of clients near swimming pools. While he had no specific training in working with individuals with Down’s syndrome, he had no difficulties communicating with Michael, who was remembered by his family as a lively soul with a deep sense of empathy and a passion for dancing to Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now.” The family expressed their profound devastation at Michael’s untimely death. The inquest into the incident is ongoing
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