British tourist, 56, fighting for life after jump from Cyprus balcony

A British tourist is in critical condition in a Cyprus hospital after a disastrous attempt to leap from his balcony into a swimming pool this weekend.

The 56-year-old, who was staying in a villa in Pegeia with a group of friends, reportedly slipped as he took off from the ledge some 10 feet above the pool. 

Instead of safely landing in the water below, his misstep sent him plunging onto the concrete pavement.

The man, whose identity has not yet been revealed, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Paphos General Hospital before being placed in intensive care, The Sun reported.

The shocking incident comes just three weeks after a 15-year-old British girl fell from a balcony in Majorca on the second day of her first-ever trip abroad.

The teenager, who remains unidentified, was placed in a coma after her fall in S'illot on the east of the island at the start of the month.

The Sun reported that she was trying to climb from one balcony to another when she fell from the first floor of her hotel, suffering severe head injuries.

According to a JustGiving page set up by family friend Erica Arnold, she was stabilised at the scene by paramedics, before being taken by ambulance to Son Espases Hospital, in Palma, where she 'is expected to remain for eight weeks until she is well enough to be flown back to the UK.'

Erica told the Sun that the girl is 'still in critical condition in intensive care but the good news is that doctors have removed her breathing tube and she is breathing on her own.

'She is such a lovely girl, everyone who knows her loves her. If anyone can fight and get through this it is [her].'

She added on the JustGiving page, which has raised just over £7,000 out of the target of £20,000 at the time of publication: 'At present, she is critical, on life support and in an induced coma.

'She has had two brain surgeries and will need two more, spinal surgery and other surgery. Once back in the UK, she will need further medical intervention.'

Erica added: 'The girl's parents desperately need accessible accommodation to commute to the hospital. 

'As you can imagine, this is somewhere the family has never travelled to before; everything is new and confusing, and there is tremendous worry about their daughter.

'The language barrier makes the simplest of things difficult, especially as all their time and thoughts are currently with their daughter. They also have limited finances. This was their first family holiday abroad; they saved a long time. 

'However, they don't have any additional funds, and they were only supposed to be away for one week. Unfortunately, the family did not take out any holiday insurance due to being new to foreign travel.

'This young lady is loved by so many; she's always smiling and fun and is a brilliant horse rider with her whole life ahead of her.'

That incident came weeks after a 19-year-old British woman died after falling from a sixth floor balcony while on holiday in Ibiza.

Emma Ramsay, from Hamilton, was on holiday with friends in the party island's San Antonio region in August when she fell from the balcony at Hotel Vibra District in the early hours of the morning.

Paramedics rushed to the scene but the law student, 19, was declared dead at the scene.

In the days before her death, Ms Ramsay posted a series of TikTok videos showing her happily dancing with friends.

A representative of the Ramsay family told the Scottish Sun: 'They're a lovely group of girls.

'Emma is a law student and was about to go into her third year at Strathclyde University.

'She's a delight of a girl, you will not find a person with a bad word to say about her. 

'She's an angel. It's been a really tragic accident and as a family we are coming to terms with that.

'The family are out in Ibiza right now, Emma's parents are out there.'

As messages poured in for the popular student, Ms Ramsay's mother Barbara Smith paid tribute on social media to her 'angel Emma'. She wrote: 'I don't even know where to begin.

'You are my daughter, my best friend in the whole world and I am going to miss you more than words will ever express. Rest in peace my sweet angel and sleep tight, mummy loves you so, so much.'

Lorna Lawson, headteacher of St John Ogilve High School, where Ms Ramsay used to be Head Girl, said: 'We are shocked and saddened at the heartbreaking news of the sudden passing of our former Head Girl, Emma Ramsay.

'Emma was an incredibly kind, hardworking, bright and talented pupil who contributed a great deal to our school community. 

'Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. Emma will be missed and will forever hold a special place in our school.'

Friend Paris Mcgoldrick added: 'I don't even know where to begin with how perfect our Emma was. I loved everything about you and I forever will.'