Latest news with #KerryRoberts
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Daily Mail
British tourist, 24, died after 'falling backwards from first floor window' during family holiday to Amsterdam, inquest told
A British tourist died after sitting on a window sill and 'falling backwards' on a family holiday in Amsterdam, an inquest has heard. Ben Roberts, 24, was in Netherlands when the tragic accident took place on May 13 last year. He was taken to hospital but died the next day, with police ruling out any third party involvement. A coroner's court in south London has now ruled the death was an accident after finding 'details of the circumstances surrounding Mr Roberts' death were scant'. Mr Roberts' heartbroken mother Kerry said: 'I can't describe our loss, we are heartbroken. As Ben's mum, part of me died the day he did.' Assistant coroner Victoria Webb also read out a series of statements given following the 26-year-old's death including information given by his father David Taylor, of Beckenham, south London. Ms Webb told the inquest in Croydon: 'The family were in Amsterdam. All David could tell me was that Ben fell backwards out of a first floor window. 'Ben sat on a window sill and fell backwards, it was a complete accident. 'Police in Amsterdam ruled out any third party involvement. 'He donated some of his organs prior to being repatriated to the UK.' Friends of Mr Roberts' family donated almost £17,000 towards his funeral and to fly his body home as no travel insurance was in place at the time of the accident. A post mortem was then carried out at Croydon University Hospital. Dr Hiam Ali, who carried out the post mortem, said he found extensive skull fractures, fractured ribs, severe bruising to the right foot, and some of the scalp on the right side was missing. He put the cause of death down to head injuries in keeping with a fall from height. It was not explained who Mr Roberts, who lived in Bromley, south London, had been with at the time of his fall or whether it was in a hotel. After his death, friends raised almost £17,000 to help the family via a GoFundMe appeal. Organiser Fay Trower said: 'We're raising funds on behalf of our beloved friend Kerry, Ben's mum. 'Ben's life was cut tragically short on Tuesday 14th May 2024 following a terrible accident whilst on holiday in Amsterdam. 'Ben was only 24 and had his whole life ahead of him. He was a handsome, kind, funny and caring young man with a heart of gold, who adored his mum and family. 'He was an amazing son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin, whose family meant the world to him and he was loved by everyone that knew him.' She added staff in the Netherlands had given Mr Roberts 'the most amazing care' and showing 'nothing but love, support and compassion'. A message from Robert's mother read: 'To all you amazing beautiful people. I can't describe our loss, we are heartbroken. 'As Ben's mum, part of me died the day he did. 'We are proud people and money was the last thing we were thinking about, but you amazing people with your kind words and donations mean more than words can ever say. 'Ben was adored by every person he met, he was kind, loving and so very special. 'He had a way with people that I have never seen before and he lit up any room he walked in. 'He lived and loved life to the fullest and he was the most amazing person in the world.' In her summing up, assistant coroner Ms Webb said: 'Ben Roberts was 24 years old when he died unexpectedly in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. 'According to his GP notes he was fit and well. 'On the day prior to May 14th Ben fell backwards out of a first floor window. 'This was a complete accident and no third party was involved. 'Ben was taken to hospital in Amsterdam where he died on May 14th 2024 having donated five organs - his heart, liver, spleen, pancreas and kidneys. 'The officials in Amsterdam said Ben died of an accident. When Ben's body had been transported back to the UK it underwent a post mortem. 'It was limited in its findings due to the fact of organ donation and due to the body being embalmed, but in Ben's case all the evidence points to a fatal fall. 'There is no evidence to suggest the fall was in any way suspicious or intentional. 'I should add that if information comes to light casting doubt on this finding it should be brought to the coroner's officer's attention and this inquest can be reopened if necessary.'
The Sun
08-07-2025
- The Sun
British tourist died from severe head injuries after falling from first floor window in Amsterdam
A BRIT tourist died from severe head injuries the day after he fell from a first floor window, an inquest has heard. Ben Roberts, 24, suffered a fractured skull in the backwards plunge. He was taken to hospital in Amsterdam but died the next day, donating his heart, liver, spleen, pancreas and kidneys to help others. Ben, of Bromley, South East London, was in the Netherlands with his family in May last year when he sat on a windowsill and fell backwards. Friends of his family donated almost £17,000 towards the young man's funeral and to fly his body home as no travel insurance was in place at the time of the accident. His heartbroken mother Kerry said: 'I can't describe our loss, we are heartbroken. "As Ben's mum, part of me died the day he did." Coroner Victoria Webb said: 'This was a complete accident and no third party was involved.' She said a UK post-mortem was limited due to organ donations and embalming but went on: 'There is no evidence to suggest the fall was suspicious or intentional.' Verdict: Accident. 1
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Leaks and algae caused by energy scheme to be fixed
Dozens of homes left with water leaks and green algae growth due to faulty insulation from a Welsh government energy scheme will be repaired. The work was done on 42 homes in four villages in the Arfon area 10 years ago, and has caused leaks and green growth over the gables of the houses. "All this green algae started to come through after a year of the work," said Kerry Roberts, one of the residents affected from Deiniolen, Gwynedd. The Welsh government said it allocated £3.5m to repair the properties following a "review process last year". Botched insulation homes still awaiting repairs Homes' 'green slimy' marks after insulation fitted Most homes will need heat pumps, Welsh government says The Arbed scheme helped homeowners in disadvantaged areas to make houses more energy efficient for free. New windows and boilers were installed and external walls were painted and sealed to improve insulation. But the problems soon became apparent and questions were asked about the quality of the work. "[The house] just looks dirty and you don't want the first impression of our home to be like this," Mr Roberts told Newyddion S4C. 'It's a bit embarrassing to be honest." His neighbour Margaret Roberts, who had the same work done on her home, said "after a year the errors started to show". "It's been a very big mental worry," she said. "We're angry, it annoys you and we just couldn't get anyone to take notice. "Finally... we're happy that something is being done because it puts you down when you see the standard of the house outside," Ms Roberts added. Arfon MS Sian Gwenllian said residents had to wait "far too long". "People put their faith in this plan, a plan proposed by the government that was supposed to improve their homes but all kinds of problems appeared due to faulty work," she said. "But now there is light at the end of the tunnel so hopefully now the work will be resumed". The Welsh government has said the repairs will start soon and are expected to be finished over the next few years, depending on the weather. "Residents have received letters with more information about the process and households will also have an opportunity to opt out if they no longer want the work to be done," a spokesperson said.
BBC News
14-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Arfon homes made leaky by faulty insulation to be fixed
Dozens of homes left with water leaks and green algae growth due to faulty insulation from a Welsh government energy scheme will be work was done on 42 homes in four villages in the Arfon area 10 years ago, and has caused leaks and green growth over the gables of the houses. "All this green algae started to come through after a year of the work," said Kerry Roberts, one of the residents affected from Deiniolen, Gwynedd. The Welsh government said it allocated £3.5m to repair the properties following a "review process last year". The Arbed scheme helped homeowners in disadvantaged areas to make houses more energy efficient for windows and boilers were installed and external walls were painted and sealed to improve the problems soon became apparent and questions were asked about the quality of the work. "[The house] just looks dirty and you don't want the first impression of our home to be like this," Mr Roberts told Newyddion S4C.'It's a bit embarrassing to be honest."His neighbour Margaret Roberts, who had the same work done on her home, said "after a year the errors started to show". "It's been a very big mental worry," she said."We're angry, it annoys you and we just couldn't get anyone to take notice."Finally... we're happy that something is being done because it puts you down when you see the standard of the house outside," Ms Roberts added. Arfon MS Sian Gwenllian said residents had to wait "far too long". "People put their faith in this plan, a plan proposed by the government that was supposed to improve their homes but all kinds of problems appeared due to faulty work," she said."But now there is light at the end of the tunnel so hopefully now the work will be resumed".The Welsh government has said the repairs will start soon and are expected to be finished over the next few years, depending on the weather. "Residents have received letters with more information about the process and households will also have an opportunity to opt out if they no longer want the work to be done," a spokesperson said.
