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Man's Final Message: 'Love My Mum' Before Tenerife Death
15 Dec
Summary
- Autistic man sent final message before falling from balcony.
- Coroner criticized carer's inappropriate conduct before death.
- Care company's risk assessment process for holiday was deficient.
Jamie Cole, a 25-year-old man with autism from Weston-super-Mare, tragically died after falling from a fifth-floor hotel balcony in Tenerife. Hours before his death, he had an argument with his carer, Lousha Rees, over meal expenses, leading to inappropriate text messages exchanged between them. Cole's final message to a care company manager read, "I'm going to jump now, you can tell everyone I love them, especially my mum."
The subsequent inquest at Avon Coroner's Court highlighted significant flaws in the private care company's procedures. Area coroner Dr. Peter Harrowing found the risk assessment for the holiday to be deficient, stating it was completed hastily and did not adequately address Cole's underlying mental health conditions, including a history of suicidal ideation.
Despite the criticisms regarding the carer's conduct and the care company's risk assessment, the coroner did not find evidence of gross misconduct or failures. The care company, Lifestyle, has since implemented an improvement plan and stated that they are satisfied the identified issues have been addressed. Jamie's mother expressed her grief and hope that such incidents serve as a reminder to care companies of their grave responsibilities.
