UK: Balcony-plunge father charged with murder

A British man who plunged from a hotel balcony in Greece with his two children has been charged with murder after his six-year-old son died in the fall.

John Hogan’s son, Liam, died from serious injuries he suffered in the incident at a holiday resort in southern Crete.

The businessman’s two-year-old daughter, Mia, who's fall was cushioned as she clutched to her father and brother, suffered a broken arm but may be allowed to leave hospital today.

Hogan, 32, suffered a broken arm, leg and chest injuries.

Hogan, who runs a tiling business from his home in Bradley Stoke, Bristol, was on holiday with his wife Natasha, the Foreign Office confirmed.

Mrs Hogan is a nurse at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, south Wales.

Hogan is under police guard in hospital and has been charged with murder and attempted murder, the Foreign Office said.

His next door neighbour William Evans said he was shocked to hear of the incident.

He told the Daily Mirror: “John doted on his wife and children. I never even heard them argue. They were his life.

“I can’t comprehend how he could have done this. What on Earth was going through his head? He was such a genuine guy who worked hard and loved playing with his kids.”

Mr Evans added: “The children were angels, so full of smiles and well behaved. Mia is a chatty little girl. Liam was a bright little boy, loved football and was never in trouble.

“Before they left, Natasha said to me: ‘The kids are so excited, we can’t wait to get there. We’re really looking forward to the holiday. It’ll be the trip of a lifetime’.”

Hogan fell from a fourth-floor hotel balcony with the two children at about 11.30pm on Tuesday, according to sources on the island.

The incident occurred at the Petra Mare Hotel, a 227-bedroom four star beachfront hotel in Ierapetra, a popular holiday destination on the island.

Panayiotis Sparakis, director of the Agios Nikolaos hospital, which provided the initial treatment, said: “Unfortunately, one of the children died.

“The father says he doesn’t remember anything, and claimed he was confused and had been drinking… This is a case that is truly tragic.”

A guard at a police station in Ierapetra said he believed the fall followed a row between the man and his wife.