British father is charged with negligence after his three-year-old son fell to his death from a Cyprus hotel window '40 minutes after family checked in'

By ANDY JEHRING CHIEF FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT Published: 23:36, 13 July 2026 | Updated: 23:52, 13 July 2026 A British father has been charged with negligence after his three-year-old son fell to his death from a hotel window in Cyprus. The 37-year-old and the boy were playing in the corridor on the fourth floor while waiting for a lift before the toddler plunged 33ft to the hotel's main veranda below. The incident happened some 40 minutes after the family – which included the boy's mother, his five-year-old sister, and his grandparents – had checked in for their two-week holiday at 6pm on Sunday. An ambulance was called to the scene, but when paramedics arrived they found the child was not responding. He was taken to Paphos General Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead. A post-mortem examination yesterday found the three-year-old died from a severe traumatic brain injury as well as multiple injuries to the body and vital organs sustained in the fall from height. It later emerged the boy's grandfather had also been present and watched helplessly as the tragedy unfolded. The boy's father, who has not been identified, appeared at Paphos District Court yesterday morning charged with causing death through negligence, reckless and dangerous actions, failing in his duty as head of the family and failing in his responsibility as a person who had care of another person. The three-year-old was rushed to Paphos General Hospital in Cyprus after he fell from a hotel window He sobbed uncontrollably in the dock before proceedings had to be paused. He had also not been able to arrange legal representation due to his psychological state. He raised no objection as he was remanded in custody for eight days – the maximum length the police can apply for.  Police spokesman Vyron Vyronos said it does not necessarily mean the suspect will remain in custody for the full duration but 'if the investigation is completed earlier, the father may be released before the remand expires'. Police are continuing to take statements and examine CCTV footage from the luxury £200 per night hotel in Chloraka – which boasts four restaurants, four bars, a spa, a gym and a kids' club. The British High Commission said it is 'aware of the case' and 'are providing Consular assistance to the family'. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.