Holidays: Safety advice after teen's death

Safety campaign poster
Image caption,
The campaign posters feature Tom Channon who died in 2018 in Spain

Teenagers heading on their first holiday with friends will get advice on staying safe abroad after an 18-year-old died in a popular Spanish resort.

Tom Channon fell 70ft (21m) into a knee-high wall in Magaluf on his first trip abroad with friends in 2018.


The bilingual educational kits created with the Channon family are sent to schools and colleges in Wales.


Tom's mum, Cheri Channon, said: "We all want our youngsters to go away, have fun and come home."


"We wanted this with Tom and the worst possible thing happened to us," she added.


"For us, that's Tom's legacy. Tom is said to have achieved great things and it's his achievement now that he will hopefully make more and more people aware that when they leave, there are dangers."

Tom, from Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan, fell over the knee-high wall of an apartment complex in Magaluf after deciding to return to his hotel alone after a night out with his friends.


His body was found the next morning in the Eden Roc apartment complex near where he was staying.

In 2019, a coroner concluded that Tom's death could have been avoided if simple safety measures had been put in place.
Security improvements have since been made to the Eden Roc complex.

The Stay Aware, Stay Safe, Stay Together campaign contains practical information for young people planning their first independent trip.

It contains a series of videos that include interviews with Tom's parents and some of his closest friends.

Another video also features common vacation scenarios and tips on the best ways to enjoy a safe vacation.

It is hoped that the material will be used in wellness and pastoral sessions to spark further discussions among students about how to safely enjoy their holidays with friends.

At St David's Catholic College in Cardiff, where Tom studied for his A-levels, students have already had the opportunity to experience the new holiday safety session.
Iago Parish
Image caption,
Iago is planning a holiday with friends after finishing his A-level exams

Iago Parish has planned a short break away with friends after his A-level exams this summer.

He said: "Even though you might not think about all the dangers and the risks, you just have to be careful because something can happen to anyone really."

Hedagwi GwomIMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES
Image caption,
Hedagwi said you cannot take risks abroad because it is an unfamiliar environment

Another sixth grader, Hedagwi Gwom, said: "When you think you have the option of going on holiday, you might think you have the same freedom as here.


"But a lot of people don't realize you don't have that same freedom."


"You're comfortable and fully knowledgeable in your hometown or hometown, but you can't take so many risks abroad because it's not the same environment at all."


Vinay Yadh said, "There are a lot of valuable points we've gathered in this session, like being aware of your surroundings and keeping your passport safe."

Ethan, Vinay and Elinor
Image caption,
Ethan, Vinay and Elinor found the session on safety abroad very useful

Ethan Baff added: "I found the session really eye-opening. It can happen to anyone and anything can go wrong so you need to be prepared."


Paul Thomas, honorary and pastoral professor at the college, said: "I have taught PE in pastoral classes in all the schools in Wales, but I have never taught anything about safety at the foreign.


"It's so poignant for this age group. It's their first time abroad, it's a rite of passage of a person going from young to adult and it never has. been addressed before, to my knowledge, in pastoral courses.


"The videos are a really good boost, I let the students talk about it and maybe the penny drops and they have a safer vacation.


"I think all students, not just in Wales but across the UK, should learn this. The message is key and I think it is essential and should be taken seriously."

John and Ceri Channon hope the campaign will help prevent other families experiencing a similar tragedy.
Image caption,
John and Ceri Channon hope the campaign will help prevent other families experiencing a similar tragedy

Education Minister Jeremy Miles said: "John and Ceri Channon have shown immense courage after the tragic death of their son, Tom and the family continue to do important work in raising awareness of the accidents that can occur on vacation.


“I am delighted that the Welsh Government can work with the Channon family to promote the Stay Aware, Stay Safe, Stay Together campaign, which provides really practical information for young people planning their first independent trips.


“We will make the safety campaign materials available on our Hwb platform, so that all schools and colleges have access to them.”

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