Surrey: Man told not to jump into Spain swimming pool

A Surrey man who died after his carer jumped into a swimming pool and “landed on him” was told not to jump into the pool himself, an inquest has heard.

Michael Parker, who had Down’s syndrome, died on 12 June 2023 while on holiday in Spain, when Harry Beckwith is said to have landed on him while jumping into a hotel pool.

An inquest heard a senior carer told Mr Parker, 43, not to jump into the pool in Salou while on holiday with residents and staff from The Grange care home in Bookham, Surrey.

Support worker Joanna Henderson told Surrey Coroner’s Court in Woking that she had told Mr Beckwith to be “extra vigilant”.

Giving evidence on Tuesday Ms Henderson said she asked Mr Parker not to jump into the pool on 10 June.

She said the holiday group were good swimmers and had regular sessions at The Grange’s own swimming pool.

Swimmers are not allowed to jump into The Grange pool and Ms Henderson told the court she expected those rules to apply to the hotel pool for their clients and staff.

Asked if she assumed Mr Beckwith would understand that such rules would be in place, she said: “Yes, because he was there to do a job. He wasn’t there to enjoy himself, he was there to support the guys.”

The inquest heard that a dynamic risk assessment had been carried out around the pool when the party arrived at the hotel.

Hugh Skeil, acting chief executive of The Grange at the time of the incident, said he was called after the incident and told Mr Parker was “very unlikely to survive”.

The inquest earlier heard how, while both jumping into the pool, Mr Beckwith “landed on” Mr Parker and he “sank to the bottom”.

The inquest was adjourned and is expected to conclude on 12 March.