Ben Roberts, 24, who was described as having “a heart of gold”, couldn’t survive the injuries he sustained after “falling backwards” through a first floor window while on a family holiday in Amsterdam
A beloved British tourist died after ‘falling backwards’ from a window sill on a family holiday in Amsterdam.
“Adored” Ben Roberts, 24, was enjoying a trip to the Dutch capital when the tragic accident happened on May 13, 2024. Paramedics rushed Ben to hospital, but he couldn’t be saved and was pronounced dead the following day.
An inquest at Croydon Coroner’s Court has ruled his death was accidental – but said this conclusion was made partly because the details around the tragedy were “scant”.
Ben’s heartbroken mum Kerry said: “I can’t describe our loss, we are heartbroken. As Ben’s mum, part of me died the day he did.’
Speaking at the hearing, assistant coroner Victoria Webb said: “The family were in Amsterdam. All David [his father] 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.”
In the days that followed his death, loved ones raised £17,000 to go towards repatriation costs as he didn’t have travel insurance at the time.
Once his remains were back in the UK, a post mortem was performed at Croydon University Hospital, reports the MailOnline.
Pathologist Dr Hiam Ali ruled that the injuries Ben had sustained were consistent with a fall from height. His skull and ribs were fractured, and he had extensive bruising on his right foot. Part of his scalp on the right side of his head was also missing.
Further details around the circumstances – including who Ben was with at the time – have been released.
Fay Trower, who organised the GoFundMe appeal, said at the time: “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.”
Dutch medical staff had given “the most amazing care” to Ben, she added.
Another post from Ben’s mum 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.”
Assistant coroner Ms Webb concluded: ‘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.”