Justice at last for families of British children killed in parasailing accident

22 November 2023 , 22:35

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Justice at last for families of British children killed in parasailing accident

The families of two British children killed in a parasailing accident have won their fight for justice.

A court in Rhodes, Greece, awarded more than £1.5million in compensation to relatives of Jessica Hayes, 15, and Mikey Connelly, 13. Watersports boss Nikos Mallios, 54, was found liable after tethering the cousins to his speedboat and taking them out to sea in deteriorating weather.

The rope snapped and sent the children crashing 400 ft into a rock face near Lindos. Mikey’s older brother James, 15 at the time in 2020, was seriously injured.

Nikos Mallios, 53, was responsible for the parasailing firm (Daily Mirror)

The Court of First Instance of Rhodes said there had been ample weather warnings and that failings included a dangerous knot.

Jessica’s dad Tony Hayes, from Corby, Northants, said: “Our lives were shattered on that day.” Michael Hagan, of Fletchers Solicitors, the Hayes’ lawyers, said they were relieved justice has been served.

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The Lindos Princess Beach Hotel was also found liable. The court ruled the parasailing was being run under the supervision of the hotel. Last year the Mirror saw Mallios still operating from the same spot as in 2020. He is the subject of a criminal probe in Greece.

Ryan Fahey