In August 2002, Paul and Andrea Gallagher and their three children, Heather 5, Paul 2 and Andrew 1, were enjoying a
holiday of a lifetime in the
Bahamas when disaster struck. The family holiday was an all-inclusive package at the exclusive
Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island. The resort is owned and run by Kerzner International Bahamas Limited and the holiday was booked through the well-known tour operator Thomas Cook.
On the ninth day of their
holiday, the family were enjoying a day on the hotel’s beach. Two-year old Paul was asleep on a sun lounger next to his mother when a
speed boat crashed onto the beach, inflicting fatal injuries that killed the toddler who died in hospital five days later.
Mr and Mrs Gallagher and their five-year-old daughter suffered trauma and shock consequent on this horrific incident and Mrs Gallagher suffered some physical injuries herself.
Previous speed boat accidents
The Gallaghers later discovered that the Atlantis Resort was no stranger to such tragedy. In 1999, Victor Meier was snorkelling with his father when he was struck by a
speed boat and sustained massive injuries. He survived the incident, but lost his arm and was permanently disfigured.
In the last three years an inquest has been held into Paul’s death, both in the Bahamas and the UK. The UK Coroner’s verdict was open.
Despite these inquests, the Gallagher family’s questions as to how their son was killed in such circumstances remain unanswered. These include why the hotel and tour operator allowed speed boats to operate so close to swimmers and other beach users, and why the resort’s four lifeguards did not do more to warn hotel guests of impending disaster.
Last week the Gallagher family began court proceedings against Thomas Cook and Kerzner International for damages for personal injury and bereavement for the loss of their two year old son. The Gallaghers are represented by specialist personal injury solicitors, Leigh, Day & Co. Sally Moore, partner and head of the personal injury team said:
“These tragic events that have ruined this family’s life should never have happened. The Gallagher family booked their holiday with a reputable tour operator to a well-known resort, expecting that they were going to a safe place. The claim will be that the tour operator and the resort owner failed in their duty to protect this family from harm.”
For further information contact
Sally Moore on 020 7650 1200.
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