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THEY’RE YOUNG, MOSTLY British, on holiday, drunk and sometimes high, and they decide to jump from their hotel or apartment balcony into the pool. But some miss and end up in hospital…or worse, dead.
The so-called “balconing” craze has taken off to such an extent in Spain’s Balearic Islands that doctors at the Son Espases hospital in Palma de Majorca – a major trauma centre – decided to study what they call an “endemic” phenomenon.
“It’s only the tip of the iceberg of a major phenomenon which is low-cost tourism involving young people who come here for the sun, beach and to consume alcohol in excess,” says Juan Jose Segura, a surgeon and the study’s lead author.
“All these people run the risk of suffering various accidents, traffic accidents, bar brawls… Everything revolves around alcohol consumption.”
€1.5 million
The 2010-2015 study only covers patients who were treated in hospital and not those who died while “balconing” – a term that refers to people who throw themselves into pools or fall while trying to get to another balcony or simply leaning over.
Altogether, the hospital treated 46 patients during that time, more than 60% of whom were British, followed by Germans and then Spaniards, the study found.
Only one woman was involved, all the others were men, aged 24 on average.
The fall itself was from an average height of eight metres.
Alcohol was involved almost every time, and in close to 40% of the cases, drugs also played a role.
Altogether, the craze has cost €1.5 million in hospital fees, says Xavier Gonzalez, head of surgery at Son Espases who also participated in the study, as patients can remain in intensive care for a long time, some ending up paraplegic.
It is unclear exactly how many people have died from “balconing”, but Spanish media have reported more than a dozen deaths over the past five years.
“Initially… we had expected to find that these people had some sort of mental problem, or that they drunk a lot of alcohol on a daily basis,” says Segura.
“But no, these are normal guys who in a festive context take bad decisions.”
“Balconing” also happens on Spain’s northeastern Costa Brava, but it is most prevalent in the Balearic archipelago, which includes Magaluf and Ibiza among its famous resorts which attract millions of visitors every year.
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Mrs Hickey had 10 cops at her room at 6am and because of that panicked. Due to this panic she told the police her husband had left the country. Something not quite right there,as if she knew he was guilty of something. Ah no, I’ve posted this in the wrong comment section.
In fairness most Irish women would probably say the same if 10 strapping Brazilian cops showed up to their door at six in the morning …. Just saying….
Those emails are not good news for our jailbird
Shed loads well dodgy here… Are we supposed to believe any of this. good luck where they are.. Different country over there. …… No one would jump from a balcony!
Natural selection at it’s best.
Rio police press conference going on where can we see it.
In other news, the sky is blue
Brilliant avatar. Love the Robin.
Well there’s a shocker.
The world certainly won’t be at a loss with less of these morons.
Their family and friends would disagree.
Friends wouldn’t let them do it!
I see they allow you access to the internet Mr Hickey…
Skinhead tattooed EDL / Britain First and Identity Ireland types,always ruining the holiday for everyone else.
At least these guys only take themselves out though… Unlike some eh Tariq.. *ahem* Nice , Sousse…..
Muslims don’t eat pork or drink alcohol gerard,you’re thinking of the artery-clogged,balding and fat-bellied native European who we are out-breeding due to our superior health.
in fairness Muslims are ruining France’s tourism. Beirut used to be known as the Paris of the middle east, now Paris is the Beriut of Europe.
@Tariq: Look up the healthiest countries in the world. The west kicks ass, regardless of all the fatties that hold us back. And the “superior health” of Muslims? Healthy lifestyles aren’t common in typical Islamic countries.
I’m so glad someone funded a study for this.
The studies on the demographics of violent crime in Spain are more interesting and useful. At least these Limeys don’t intend any harm.
But no Irish person threw themselves off a balcony. ?Saw a few in Ibiza and Benidorm….
Simpletons injure themselves and sometimes die. It doesn’t need a study.
Natural f$$$ing selection at work again
“Balconing” aka “Brexit”
Shock lol
have your say