How did Francesca Blease die?

Francesca Blease, aged 11, accidentally drowned in a shallow hotel swimming pool in Fuerteventura, Spain, after losing her footing and inhaling water.

Was the hotel pool dangerous?

The children's pool was very shallow, with a depth of between 10cm and 60cm. The coroner determined there was no foreseeable risk in these conditions.

What was Francesca's relationship with water?

Francesca was reportedly terrified of water and could not swim.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Girl, 11, Drowns on First Family Holiday Abroad

Girl, 11, Drowns on First Family Holiday Abroad

27 Jan

•

Summary

An 11-year-old girl tragically drowned in a shallow hotel pool.
The child was reportedly terrified of water but could not swim.
Her death was ruled an accident by the coroner.
This was the family's first holiday abroad together.

Girl, 11, Drowns on First Family Holiday Abroad

Tragedy struck on a family's first holiday abroad when 11-year-old Francesca Blease drowned in a hotel swimming pool in Fuerteventura, Spain. Francesca, who had a significant fear of water and could not swim, was pulled unresponsive from the children's pool on August 7th of last year. Fellow holidaymakers administered CPR before paramedics arrived, and she was airlifted to a hospital in Las Palmas.

Despite the efforts, Francesca died the following day from severe brain hypoxia. The inquest heard that the pool was extremely shallow, ranging from 10cm to 60cm deep. The senior coroner for Cheshire, Jacqueline Devonish, ruled the death an accident, stating there was no foreseeable risk and no reason for the family to anticipate harm. While a game of 'longest underwater' was suggested, it remained unconfirmed hearsay.