A British tourist is in a critical condition in hospital in Cyprus after making a disastrous attempt to jump into a swimming pool from his balcony over the weekend.
The 56-year-old man, who was staying with a group of friends in a villa in Pegeia, reportedly slipped when he jumped from the edge, about three metres above the pool.
Instead of landing safely in the water, his misstep sent him plummeting onto the concrete sidewalk.
The man, whose identity has not yet been released, was seriously injured and was rushed to Paphos General Hospital where he was placed in intensive care. The Sun reported.
The shocking incident came just three weeks after a 15-year-old British girl fell from a balcony in Mallorca on the second day of her first ever trip abroad.
The teenager, whose identity is unknown, fell into a coma after her fall in S’illot, in the east of the island, earlier this month.
The 56-year-old, who was staying with a group of friends at a villa in Pegeia near Paphos (pictured), is believed to have slipped as he jumped from the ledge
The man, whose identity has not yet been released, was seriously injured and was rushed to Paphos General Hospital where he was placed in intensive care.
The Sun reported that she was trying to climb from one balcony to another when she fell from the first floor of her hotel, suffering serious head injuries.
According to a JustGiving page set up by family friend Erica Arnold, she was stabilised at the scene by paramedics before being taken by ambulance to Son Espases Hospital in Palma. She is expected to remain there for eight weeks until she is well enough to be flown back to the UK.
Erica told the Sun that the girl “is still in a critical condition in intensive care, but the good news is that doctors have removed her breathing tube and she is now breathing on her own again.”
“She’s such a sweet girl, everyone who knows her loves her. If anyone can fight through this and get through it, it’s her.”
She added on the JustGiving page, which at the time of publication had raised over £7,000 of its £20,000 target: ‘She is currently in a critical condition, on a ventilator and in an induced coma.
“She has had two brain surgeries and will need two more, a back operation and other surgeries. Once back in the UK she will need further medical intervention.”
The teenager, who has not yet been identified, fell into a coma after her fall in S’illot in the east of the island (File photo)
Erica added: ‘The girl’s parents are in urgent need of accessible accommodation to enable them to travel to hospital.
‘As you can imagine, this is a place the family has never been before. Everything is new and confusing, and they are very worried about their daughter.
‘The language barrier makes the simplest things difficult, especially since all their time and thoughts are with their daughter at the moment. They also have limited finances. This was their first family holiday abroad; they have been saving for a long time.
‘However, they have no extra money and they were only supposed to be away for a week. Unfortunately, the family did not take out travel insurance because they had not traveled abroad before.
‘This young lady is loved by many; she is always smiling and cheerful and she is a brilliant rider with her whole life ahead of her.’
The incident came just weeks after a 19-year-old British woman died after falling from a sixth-floor balcony while on holiday in Ibiza.
Emma Ramsay from Hamilton was on holiday with friends in the San Antonio area of the party island in August when she fell from the balcony of the Hotel Vibra District in the early morning hours.
Emergency services arrived quickly on the scene, but the 19-year-old law student was pronounced dead at the scene.
In the days before her death, Ms Ramsay posted a number of TikTok videos of herself happily dancing with friends.
Emma Ramsay from Hamilton was on holiday with friends in the San Antonio area of the party island when she fell from the balcony of the Hotel Vibra District
The Strathclyde University student had spent a night out with friends at Hï Ibiza nightclub a few hours earlier
A representative for the Ramsay family told the Scottish Sun: ‘They’re a lovely group of girls.
‘Emma is a law student about to start her third year at Strathclyde University.
‘She’s a sweetheart of a girl, you won’t find anyone who will say a bad word about her.
“She’s an angel. It was a very tragic accident and as a family we are coming to terms with it.
‘The family is now in Ibiza, Emma’s parents are there too.’
As messages poured in for the popular student, Ms Ramsay’s mother Barbara Smith paid tribute to her ‘angel Emma’ on social media, writing: ‘I don’t even know where to begin.
“You are my daughter, my best friend in the whole world and I will miss you more than words can ever express. Rest in peace my sweet angel and sleep tight, mommy loves you so, so much.”
Lorna Lawson, principal of St John Ogilve High School, where Mrs Ramsay was formerly headmistress, said: “We are shocked and saddened by the heartbreaking news of the sudden passing of our former headmistress, Emma Ramsay.
‘Emma was an incredibly kind, hardworking, intelligent and talented student who contributed greatly to our school community.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. Emma will be missed and will always have a special place in our school.”
Girlfriend Paris Mcgoldrick added: “I don’t even know where to begin with how perfect our Emma was. I loved everything about you and I always will.”