man with Down syndrome died after his support worker “landed on him” while jumping into a swimming pool, an inquest has heard.
Michael Parker, a resident of The Grange care home in Bookham, Surrey, died on 12 June, 2023.
At the time, he was on holiday in Spain with staff members and other residents from The Grange.
An inquest into the 43-year-old’s death is being held at Surrey Coroner’s Court.
On Monday, his support worker Harry Beckwith told the court that Mr Parker was “jumping in and out” of the pool prior to his death.
“Michael was jumping in and out of the pool, doing his dancing and all that so I decided to jump in with him so he could enjoy his holiday and we jumped in and out a few good times before the incident happened,” Mr Beckwith said.
Mr Parker jumped into the pool, to his left, Mr Beckwith said.
He continued: “I jumped to the right trying to miss him but somehow he had gone underneath me and I landed on him.”
An inquest into Michael Parker’s death is being held at Surrey Coroner’s Court
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An inquest into Michael Parker’s death is being held at Surrey Coroner’s Court (PA Archive)
Mr Beckwith then realised that Mr Parker was “not there” and had gone “to the bottom”, he said. He went down to pick Mr Parker up before taking him to the stairs of the pool and asking the lifeguard for help.
Asked whether the water was “clear” when he jumped in, Mr Beckwith said it was not because of the waterfall in the pool.
The support worker told the inquest that the day before the incident, members of the group – including himself and Mr Parker – had been jumping into the pool, and that no-one had told them they were not allowed to do so.
Mr Beckwith said he had not received any lifeguard training before the trip but had completed some training regarding safety and taking care of clients in and around swimming pools.
He told the court he had had no specific training regarding individuals with Down syndrome and did not have any difficulties communicating with Mr Parker.
Elaine Smith, who was staying at the hotel at the time and witnessed the incident from a nearby sun lounger, told the inquest she saw Mr Beckwith land “right on Michael”.
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