article_detail

Avon Coroner’s Court has ruled the death of 15-year-old Max McMullen accidental after he fell from the window of his host family’s apartment in Córdoba on October 19, 2019. The tragedy occurred during an exchange trip organised by the boy’s school in Bath and investigators believe he may have been trying to fix a shutter when he fell from the seventh floor.

 

"The trauma of the past three years preparing and waiting for the inquest has been more emotionally draining than ever imaginable," the family said in a statement after the inquest.

 

"We now know the conclusion was an accident, so if nothing else, we hope that schools and organisations follow and review their policies and safety for children, especially on foreign exchange trips to prevent a future accident.

 

"We will never forgive what happened to Max.

 

"He had such a bright future ahead of him full of success and happiness that was so cruelly taken from him."

 

Although Max wasn’t getting along with his exchange buddy and had suffered through periods of low moods in the past, the inquest ruled out suicide and there was no indication of foul play.

 

According to reports, Max had been hanging out in a park with friends the evening he died and his host family heard him return home at around 10.45pm. There were sounds from upstairs of the blind being raised and the window shutter being "shaken vigorously", followed by a loud bang.

 

As a result of Max’s death, Alun Williams, CEO of Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership, said that more vigorous suitability checks could be carried out on host families from now on, and that risk assessments have been implemented "for other activities that might take place while children are abroad."

 

Image: Bath Rugby