Couple falls off balcony while having 'passionate' sex in full public view at French resort, man in critical condition
A British tourist who fell from a balcony during a "passionate sex session" in full view of the public was in critical condition at a French hospital Sunday night.
The 30-year-old British holidaymaker and his 28-year-old Canadian partner toppled over railings and fell 12ft from the first floor at the Riviera resort of Le Cannet, north of Cannes, Daily Mail reports.
Responding paramedics rushed the man to an intensive care unit at the Pasteur Hospital in Nice. Meanwhile, the woman was reportedly "hurt but stable" after apparently being cushioned by her lover in the fall.
"The couple were seen making love on the balcony of their holiday rental flat," an investigator said Sunday night. "They were becoming very passionate indeed, and suddenly toppled into the street below. Neighbors called the emergency services immediately."
The accident, which occurred on Saturday at 12.30 pm, is currently being investigated by police to establish whether alcohol or drugs were involved.
The investigator added there was no indication of foul play.
That said, reports of British tourists dying or being injured from balcony falls during the summer holiday season are increasing at an alarming rate.
The reports mostly emerge from Spanish Costa resorts frequently visited by hordes of young men and women who consume a lot of alcohol.
Having said that, the latest case in France is rather usual, considering the activity the tourists were engaged in and the fact that it happened in a more upmarket villa.
Hotel bosses have reportedly been advised by holiday operators not to assign British holidaymakers rooms with balconies having barriers lower than 3.6ft.
The suggestion came after three travelers from the UK fell to their deaths from the same building in the popular tourist destination Magaluf last year.
"TUI and Jet2 rules mean no British guests can stay in rooms with balconies that don’t meet new height requirements," said Francisco Gene, director of the Menorca Binibeca Hotel. "In places like Magaluf in Majorca, there have been a lot of accidents, usually after guests have been drinking and climb over to friends’ rooms. It happens every month in peak season. Now if guests insist on a room they shouldn’t have we make them sign a disclaimer about the balcony."