Brits Warned Over Holiday Balcony Falls

Record numbers of young British people have fallen from balconies while on hoiday abroad so far this year, it has been revealed.

Three Britons have died during a total of 13 incidents to date in 2012. Nine of those have happened in Majorca and Ibiza, already matching figures for 2011.

The accidents include those involving Chantelle Serginson and Daniel Geary, who survived separate plunges from hotel balconies in Magaluf.

The problem has prompted the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and The Travel Association (Abta) to launch a campaign to try and prevent further accidents.

Sean Tipton, of Abta, said: "Most of the advice we are giving is common sense.

"It may be things that people haven't considered on how to use their balcony safely while they are on holiday."

The problem is often connected with drinking and, in some cases, fooling around, climbing across and, in extreme cases, jumping into swimming pools below.

But it can also affect those who are less reckless.

Carrie-Anne Dudbridge fell from her balcony while she was on honeymoon in Corfu two years ago.

She said: "We had been drinking. I came out on to the balcony to talk to the people next door. As I leaned over to by-pass the partition, I leaned too far."

She was taken to hospital where doctors confirmed she had crushed two vertebrae and broken six more, while also breaking her breastbone.

She is lucky to be walking, but her recovery took around a year and she is only able to work part-time now.

As part of the advice, the Foreign Office is also asking people to check they have adequate travel insurance before going abroad.