'I Was Played Abba While I Was on Hold Trying to Find Out About my Son's Death'

WalesOnline ^ | 30 NOV 2021 | Rhodri Harrison

[nickcarraway]

The family of a teenager who died after falling at a Magaluf resort have spoke about the lack of support they received

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The parents of a teenager who died after falling at a Magaluf resort have called for more support for recently-bereaved people and described their "traumatic" experience.

Thomas Channon, 18, was celebrating his A-levels with friends in the holiday resort when he fell seven floors over a two-foot-wall and died in 2018.

Speaking to BBC Wales Radio today, his parents Ceri and John have described the support as "an absolute nightmare".

Read more:Cardiff University told to change exam system after student took her own life wrongly thinking she had failed

Being left on hold over the phone to the British Consulate, Ceri described it as "horrendous" as she listened to Abba music whilst trying to learn more information surrounding her son's death.

After campaigning to ensure similar experiences are prevented following a fatality abroad, a new scheme will be piloted in the Balearic Islands next year.

'Tom's Check' is part of a new training programme for British consulate staff aimed at holiday-goers safety when abroad and appropriate support is in place for bereaved families.

It follows after an inquest found Thomas Channon's death "could have been prevented" if appropriate measures had been taken following a death in similar circumstances five weeks before.

Speaking to BBC Wales Radio today, John Channon said the scheme was put in place to learn from the lessons his family endured.

"There will be something positive introduced to try and prevent anything like that happening again and will be in Tom's name" he said.

The scheme aimed at taking appropriate measures both abroad and at home hopes to raise awareness of the dangers going on holiday for young people as plans to help encourage the lessons being taught in the school curriculum.

Speaking to presenter Claire Summers, the parents highlighted the lack of support for bereaved families for deaths abroad and emphasised communication needed to be improved.

"It was an absolute nightmare, what we have secured now is that it will never ever happen to another family" said Ceri, adding "but should it happen they will never have to face what we have today".

Whilst on hold to the consulate, Ceri says an Abba song was played whilst trying to gather more information following her son's death.

[pepsi_junkie]

'I Was Played Abba While I Was on Hold Trying to Find Out About my Son's Death'

There's a chance ... not a high chance, but a chance ... that I'd say "this isn't worth it, I'll find out later. I'm sure someone will call."

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Let me guess. A young Welshman celebrating his exams falls over a wall and down a cliff at a resort—is alcohol involved? Hmmmm?

[Don W]

What did they want? Motorhead? Rick Astley? The Beatles? The Who?

[1Old Pro]

Ceri described it as "horrendous" as she listened to Abba music whilst trying to learn more information surrounding her son's death.

I agree, listening to ABBA is torture.

[READINABLUESTATE]

Waterloo?

[NohSpinZone]

What song? Winner Takes It All? Does Your Mother Know? Slipping Through My Fingers?

[wally_bert]

I’d like Edwin Astley and his orchestra.

Music from the classic Saint series.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

On and on about preventing this from happening again without saying what happened. Drinking? Roughousing? All I can see is destroy your Abba CDs.

[Ingtar]

Alcohol, selfies, or both...

[1Old Pro]

over a two-foot-wall and died

A two foot wall on a 7th floor balcony?

[SamAdams76]

This might be slightly off topic but Abba does have a brand new album coming out.

[shotgun]

3rd world construction standards.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

I’ll be interested to hear it. I know a lot of people like to bash them but they were decent music to me.

[gathersnomoss]

Was he listening to ABBA’s latest version of Helter Skelter?

[howlinhound]

I believe the new ABBA album is out already; it’s called “Voyage”. Sirius XM had a channel playing cuts from it for about two weeks recently.

[LukeL]

ABBA is like Barry Manilow you never admit to anyone that you like their music.

[epluribus_2]

Fade to black...

[Borges]

You don’t think they made brilliant pop records? Benny and Bjorn were highly musical.

[Dr. Sivana]

I’d like Edwin Astley and his orchestra. Music from the classic Saint series.

Agreed, though I am more familiar with the Danger Man music. At least they are British, and not continental like ABBA.