A two-year-old boy who fell from a hotel window in Cyprus died from multiple severe injuries, a coroner has said. Jaxon Foster plunged nearly 12 metres from a fourth-floor window at the King Evelthon Beach Hotel and Resort in Chlorakas, near Paphos, on July 12.
His father, Joshua Foster, was fined €3,000 (£2,500) at Paphos District Court last month after pleading guilty to causing death through a reckless, rash or dangerous act. An inquest at Essex Coroner's Court heard the boy, from Chelmsford, had sustained fatal injuries to his vital organs, head and body.
Coroner Describes Case as 'Particularly Tragic'
The inquest into Jaxon's death was opened and adjourned on Friday. Essex's senior coroner, Lincoln Brookes, described the death as a "particularly tragic" case, according to the BBC.
Brookes said: "This two-year-old child was on holiday with his family in Paphos in Cyprus. He sadly fell from a window on the fourth floor of the hotel the family were staying at and, sadly, his death was confirmed that same day at the hospital."
The provisional cause of death was noted as "severe craniocerebral injuries and multiple injuries of the body and vital organs" because of a fall from height. A full inquest is due to be heard on January 6, the coroner said.
Family Holiday Ends in Tragedy
Jaxon died hours after Foster, his wife, two children, and in-laws had arrived on their holiday. After spending the day carrying out activities, the family returned to their rooms to get ready to go out for dinner.
Foster, his father-in-law and son left their rooms and walked towards a lift at around 6pm, when the toddler noticed a waterpark outside, Foster's lawyer told a hearing in Paphos. The dad placed his toddler on a windowsill at the five-star hotel to show Jaxon a view of the waterpark, not realising the window was open, the court previously heard.
The boy looked out, and the "inconceivable" happened before Foster had a chance to react. Jaxon was taken to Paphos General Hospital where, despite efforts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead.
Father Speaks After Sentencing
Foster, who worked as an auditor, spoke to reporters after the sentencing and said: "Thank you for the support. I'm looking forward to going home and being with my wife and daughter."
In a statement, the family previously said: "Our son was deeply loved and will be forever missed. His loss is something we carry with us every day."
