Teen Death from Florida Hotel Balcony Fall Points to Spring Break Safety Hazards
Florida news media report that the Friday night death of a promising high school football star who fell over a hotel balcony rail was the second such fatal fall accident to occur in the past two weeks of Spring Break.
Police in Panama City Beach, Florida reported that Matthew James of Ohio, who had been recruited to play for Notre Dame, was on the balcony of a Days Inn hotel with several friends when he reportedly went over the rail and fell to his death. Witnesses told police that James may have been leaning over the railing and arguing with another hotel guest on another balcony before the accident occurred. While the investigation remains ongoing, police believe alcohol may have been involved in James' death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that unintentional injuries is the leading cause of death for young people under age 30. The CDC lists a number of potential hazards to teens' and college students' safety during spring break in Florida and other vacation destinations, particularly when alcohol is involved. These include drunk driving accidents, sexually transmitted diseases, acts of violence, swimming pool accidents, and other causes of injury and drowning death including boating accidents and personal watercraft accidents.
Spring Breaker Death-Update
WJHG.com April 3, 2010
Matt James, Notre Dame Recruit, Dies in Fall From Hotel Balcony
SportsIllustrated.com April 3, 2010
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