The father of a teenage girl who tragically died in a parasailing accident while on holiday has expressed his determination for justice following the imprisonment of the boat operator involved.
Tony Hayes, the father of Jessica, 15, who lost her life along with her cousin Mikey Connelly, 13, in Greece in October 2020, welcomed the conviction of watersports operator Nikos Mallios. Mallios, 57, was found guilty of negligence that led to the fatal incident. Mikey’s older brother, James, then 15, survived the accident but was in a coma for two weeks.
Following a court ruling in Rhodes, Mallios was sentenced to four years in prison for breaching safety regulations. However, he plans to appeal the verdict and will face more serious charges in Kos later this year. Tony acknowledged the initial conviction as a step toward justice but vowed to continue the fight for a longer sentence.
Despite the legal proceedings, Mallios expressed remorse for the tragedy but defended his actions, claiming he did not intentionally break safety rules. The court rejected his justifications and issued a substantial sentence.
Tony, along with his family, had traveled to Greece for a birthday celebration before the devastating incident occurred. They booked a parasailing excursion with Mallios, which ended tragically when the parasail detached, causing the teenagers to crash into rocks.
Reflecting on the loss of his daughter, Tony emphasized that while the legal outcome was a step forward, the pain of their absence remains. He visited the site of the accident to process his grief and ensure such a tragedy does not happen to others.
The family’s lawyer commended the court’s decision, highlighting the severity of Mallios’ negligence. Witnesses also recounted the events leading up to the accident, underscoring concerns about the weather conditions and rushed departure due to an impending storm.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, Tony and his family continue to seek closure and justice for Jessica and Mikey, hoping to prevent similar incidents in the future.
