Three people have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by negligence after a British woman died in a hotel pool. Margaret Winifred Davies, 78, was staying at the five-star Knossos Royal hotel in Hersonissos, Crete, when she lost consciousness. After being dragged out of the water and receiving first aid, she was taken to hospital and pronounced dead.
The hotel’s director, 51, the general manager, 41, and a 21-year-old lifeguard were arrested – the three suspects have now been released. The Cretapost website reported the lifeguard not being at her post at the time of the incident. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who died in Crete and are in touch with local authorities.”
The hotel on the Greek island boasts multiple swimming pools which are “designed to appeal to all senses and play an important role in the resort’s architectural structure”, according to its website.
The resort also promises “rolling lawns, lush landscaping and impeccable facilities.”
Despite a plethora of glowing reviews, one previous guest on Tripadvisor said: I do feel maybe there should be more proactive safety measures in place of an evening regarding people using the pools late at night.
“That doesn’t feel safe to me, that people use the pools for a late night swim and there is no one paying attention to this.”
The pensioner’s death comes just weeks after another Brit was found dead at a nearby beach. The 74-year-old was discovered unconscious on a sun lounger by other beach-goers on July 20.
Emergency services rushed to Stalis Beach in Crete shortly after the pensioner was found.
A Foreign Office spokesman said at the time: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Greece and are in contact with the local authorities.”
In Majorca last week, a British tourist also drowned in a hotel pool. The 72-year-old was found face down in the water as paramedics rushed to the scene on July 29.
Despite receiving immediate medical attention from an air ambulance team and life-support unit, the man had gone into cardiac arrest and died.
