An out of control speedboat killed our son in the Bahamas
25/10/2004
I would like to thank you again for the speedy and sensitive way in which you have dealt with this matter. I would have no hesitation in recommending your firm to anyone in the future.
Pamela, CastlefordFighting for justice for little Paul
An Inquest into the death of a toddler who was killed when he was struck by a speedboat on holiday in the Bahamas will begin tomorrow Tuesday 26th October.
The Inquest will take place at the Magistrates Court in Bromley Kent and is expected to last 1-2 days. The Coroner Dr Roy Palmer has spent time prior to the Inquest reviewing evidence surrounding the incident.
The Gallagher family from Orpington, Kent were on holiday of a lifetime staying at the Atlantis resort when the horrific accident happened in 2002.
On the Atlantis beach outside the hotel with his family, 2year old little Paul was asleep on a Atlantis sun lounger when a speedboat crashed into the beach, ploughed through holidaymakers and the propeller of the boat struck the toddler causing fatal head injuries. He died in hospital a few days later.
Little Paul was a millennium baby the first to be born in the London Borough of Bromley and his birth was celebrated across the front page of the local press.
The family's solicitor Warren Collins of Alexander Harris solicitors who will represent the family at the Inquest said: "The family have shown incredible determination despite the difficulties they have experienced dealing with the Bahamian authorities. On many occasions they have faced a wall of silence from those they have looked on for help and have had to uncover many of the facts surrounding the incident themselves."
"When someone is killed abroad in unusual circumstances and their body is brought back into English jurisdiction a Coroner must hold an Inquest. The circumstances of Paul's death are still surrounded in mystery. The Inquest will return a verdict on his cause of death."
Two years after his death, little Paul's parents Paul and Andrea Gallagher are still struggling to comprehend the events that occurred in 2002.
"Our family will never recover from the events that happened on that day. What has made the terrible situation worse has been the constant fight that we have had, simply to discover how this could have possibly happened. We still do not fully understand the truth surrounding the death of our little boy and who is accountable for it. We hope the British Inquest will go some way to helping us find out more."
"We feel let down by the lack of action the Bahamian authorities have taken since the accident. It seems no changes have been made to improve safety levels at the beach, and what we simply could not bear is to hear of another incident occurring and another family enduring the pain we have."
"After recent discussions with the British Metropolitan Police we remain hopeful that they will launch a thorough investigation in the Bahamas after the Inquest."
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