A tragic incident unfolded as a young boy, aged five, drowned in a hotel swimming pool while on vacation abroad, prompting calls for increased child safety measures from a coroner. Theo Treharne-Jones lost his life after straying to the pool unattended due to the absence of a chain lock on his hotel room door before breakfast at a resort in Greece. Although deemed accidental, the coroner plans to submit a report to holiday operators like TUI to prevent similar heartbreaking incidents.
Described as a cheerful and affectionate child, Theo embarked on a family trip to the sunny island of Kos, where his lack of awareness of danger led him to the pool area. The distressing discovery of Theo unconscious in the pool at the Atlantica Holiday Village in Kos in June 2019 raised concerns about security measures, as his mother Nina Treharne noted the room lacked a chain lock.
Hailing from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, the family, who had visited the same hotel previously, chose to revisit with Theo as part of a group of 10. However, they found the room setup different from their previous stay on a TUI holiday package, prompting them to secure the door with a buggy and a suitcase as a precaution.
During the inquest in Pontypridd, South Wales, Ms. Treharne recounted the harrowing moment they were awakened by cries about a child in the pool, likening it to a nightmare. Theo, diagnosed with Smith-Magenis Syndrome, which led to autistic behaviors, had a propensity for impulsivity, enabling him to venture out of the room unaccompanied.
Theo’s father, Richard Jones, fondly remembered his son as a delightful child with a contagious laughter. Upon rushing to the pool upon hearing the commotion, he was devastated to find Theo receiving CPR on a sunlounger nearby. Holidaymakers present at the scene, including Stuart Zammitto-Nicholl and Owen Samson, recounted their efforts to assist Theo before the tragic outcome.
Coroner Gavin Knox concluded the case as accidental death and pledged to issue a “prevention of death” report to holiday firms outlining safety recommendations.