A coroner has strongly criticised the conduct of a support worker following the tragic death of a young autistic man who fell from a hotel balcony in Tenerife after sending a harrowing final message.
Final message before fatal fall
Jamie Cole, a 25-year-old from Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, was on a holiday supported by a private care company when the incident occurred. The Avon Coroner’s Court heard that Mr Cole, who had autism and a known history of suicidal thoughts, sent a final text to a care manager before his death on January 14, 2023.
In the message, discovered by his mother Martine after his death, he wrote: “I’m going to jump now, you can tell everyone I love them, especially my mum.” The manager, Laura Warrant of the care company Lifestyle (also known as Accomplish), responded by telling him to “stop being silly” and to get some rest. He was found dead that evening, having suffered injuries consistent with a fall from his fifth-floor balcony.
Inappropriate conduct and argument before tragedy
The inquest examined the events leading to the tragedy. Mr Cole was being accompanied on the holiday by support worker Lousha Rees, employed by Lifestyle. The court heard that on the evening of his death, the pair had met for dinner at a restaurant.
A row erupted after Ms Rees reportedly wanted the “most expensive meal” on the menu, which Mr Cole said he was not prepared to pay for. He left the restaurant upset. Ms Rees later sent him texts stating she was unwilling to support him when he was “acting like a 12-year-old” and describing his behaviour as “totally inappropriate.”
In a written statement, Ms Rees told the court Mr Cole had been referring to her as his girlfriend at the restaurant, which made her uncomfortable. She later knocked on his hotel room door, and he told her he was “fine.” She was unaware he had died until the hotel manager informed her of an “awful accident” the next morning.
Coroner's findings on care failures
Area coroner Dr Peter Harrowing delivered a narrative conclusion. He stated that Mr Cole died from injuries sustained by jumping from the fifth-floor balcony, but that his intention in doing so had not been established.
Dr Harrowing was sharply critical of the care provided. He found Ms Rees's response to Jamie, particularly in the restaurant, had been “inappropriate.” He also said the response from manager Laura Warrant “probably served to aggravate the situation.”
The coroner highlighted significant flaws in the risk assessment process, which was done at short notice and failed to properly consider all of Jamie’s underlying mental health conditions. He noted that while there was no reason Jamie should not go on holiday, the policy of Lifestyle was not followed.
However, Dr Harrowing concluded he did not believe there had been “gross failures” or that the company knew of a “real or immediate risk” to Jamie’s life. The court heard Lifestyle has since implemented an improvement plan, and the coroner said he was satisfied the company had addressed the issues raised.
A mother's heartbreak and a call for change
In a statement read by her solicitors at Leigh Day, Jamie’s mother Martine Cole paid tribute to her “joyful, bubbly” son. “His autism meant he could easily become upset, but the triggers that presented a risk to his wellbeing were well documented and well known to those who supported him,” she said.
She expressed her enduring grief, stating: “I will never fully understand how my son went on holiday, happy and healthy, but never came home.” Martine Cole said she hoped the inquest would remind care companies of their “very grave responsibility” towards vulnerable individuals in their care, particularly regarding support plans and risk assessments.
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
