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Father to repay drowning damages | Father to repay drowning damages |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The father of a toddler who drowned in a holiday park's pond must repay £40,000 in compensation and costs. | The father of a toddler who drowned in a holiday park's pond must repay £40,000 in compensation and costs. |
Matthew Marsden, two, was found by his father face down in 18 inches (46 cm) of water at Greenacres Holiday Park, near Porthmadog, Gwynedd, in 2004. | Matthew Marsden, two, was found by his father face down in 18 inches (46 cm) of water at Greenacres Holiday Park, near Porthmadog, Gwynedd, in 2004. |
Philip Marsden, and his wife Tracey, from Buckley, Flintshire, successfully sued park owners Bourne Leisure. | Philip Marsden, and his wife Tracey, from Buckley, Flintshire, successfully sued park owners Bourne Leisure. |
The Court of Appeal quashed the order saying accidents could happen to children without anyone being at fault. | The Court of Appeal quashed the order saying accidents could happen to children without anyone being at fault. |
The judges said the £25,000 award, plus costs, must be repaid by Mr Marsden's lawyers. | The judges said the £25,000 award, plus costs, must be repaid by Mr Marsden's lawyers. |
In a statement, Mr Marsden said: "When a parent loses a child you get an overwhelming urge to prevent other children being hurt." | In a statement, Mr Marsden said: "When a parent loses a child you get an overwhelming urge to prevent other children being hurt." |
Holiday sites will almost inevitably contain sources of danger to small unaccompanied children Lord Justice Moses, Court of Appeal | Holiday sites will almost inevitably contain sources of danger to small unaccompanied children Lord Justice Moses, Court of Appeal |
He added: "I may have lost this fight with Bourne Leisure but I am applying my energy and enthusiasm into doing things for charity that will help children with cancer. No judges can take that away from me." | He added: "I may have lost this fight with Bourne Leisure but I am applying my energy and enthusiasm into doing things for charity that will help children with cancer. No judges can take that away from me." |
Mr Marsden warned parents not to "expect others to give the same degree of thought into safety as you may do yourself". | Mr Marsden warned parents not to "expect others to give the same degree of thought into safety as you may do yourself". |
He added: "It costs nothing to put a map in a parent's hand and say that 'Ponds are here, here and here.' | He added: "It costs nothing to put a map in a parent's hand and say that 'Ponds are here, here and here.' |
"I hope that all caravan sites with ponds will now take this simple step. | "I hope that all caravan sites with ponds will now take this simple step. |
"My family would now like to be left alone to grieve for our lovely boy." | "My family would now like to be left alone to grieve for our lovely boy." |
Trauma | Trauma |
The parents began a frantic search after discovering Matthew and his brother, Alex, who was 16 months old at the time, were missing. | The parents began a frantic search after discovering Matthew and his brother, Alex, who was 16 months old at the time, were missing. |
Mr Marsden, an IT manager, suffered nervous shock and psychological trauma after discovering his son's body. | Mr Marsden, an IT manager, suffered nervous shock and psychological trauma after discovering his son's body. |
He was awarded the damages after a county court judge in Wrexham rejected claims that the pond was "a trap for the unwary" but said the company should have specifically warned holidaymakers of the potential hazard posed. | He was awarded the damages after a county court judge in Wrexham rejected claims that the pond was "a trap for the unwary" but said the company should have specifically warned holidaymakers of the potential hazard posed. |
In addition to the compensation, £15,000 costs were paid. | In addition to the compensation, £15,000 costs were paid. |
However, following an appeal by the company, Lord Justice Stanley Burnton said: "This was a tragic case and Matthew's death has been understandably devastating for his parents. | However, following an appeal by the company, Lord Justice Stanley Burnton said: "This was a tragic case and Matthew's death has been understandably devastating for his parents. |
"But accidents may and do happen to young children without anyone being at fault." | "But accidents may and do happen to young children without anyone being at fault." |
'Attentive and caring' | 'Attentive and caring' |
Lord Justice Moses said: "Nothing this court can say can adequately measure the suffering of two responsible, attentive and caring parents." | Lord Justice Moses said: "Nothing this court can say can adequately measure the suffering of two responsible, attentive and caring parents." |
He said there was no foundation for the finding of a breach of duty on the part of the holiday park owners, adding: "Short of keeping hold of the two children at all times when outside the caravan, there is nothing more the Marsdens could do. | He said there was no foundation for the finding of a breach of duty on the part of the holiday park owners, adding: "Short of keeping hold of the two children at all times when outside the caravan, there is nothing more the Marsdens could do. |
"Small children can disappear in a moment. Holiday sites will almost inevitably contain sources of danger to small unaccompanied children." | "Small children can disappear in a moment. Holiday sites will almost inevitably contain sources of danger to small unaccompanied children." |
Mark Tami, MP for Alyn and Deeside, said he was "deeply shocked" by the decision. | |
He added: "I know that for Mr Marsden it was never about the money. | |
"It was about the principle of the whole affair because no matter what sum of money it would never be enough to bring Mathew back - it was about really highlighting the importance of this case." | |
A coroner at Matthew's inquest recorded a verdict of accidental death. | A coroner at Matthew's inquest recorded a verdict of accidental death. |
The compensation was awarded in December 2008, but was held by the Marsdens' lawyers, GHP Legal, after Bourne Leisure immediately lodged an appeal. | The compensation was awarded in December 2008, but was held by the Marsdens' lawyers, GHP Legal, after Bourne Leisure immediately lodged an appeal. |
GHP Legal will now repay the money. | GHP Legal will now repay the money. |
The case was taken on a no win, no fee basis, backed by an insurance policy - which will now cover the legal costs. | The case was taken on a no win, no fee basis, backed by an insurance policy - which will now cover the legal costs. |
A spokesman for Greenacres said: "We acknowledge the findings issued today by the three appeal court judges. Once again, we would like to extend our sympathy to Philip and Tracey Marsden." | A spokesman for Greenacres said: "We acknowledge the findings issued today by the three appeal court judges. Once again, we would like to extend our sympathy to Philip and Tracey Marsden." |