A two-year-old boy who fell to his death from a fourth-floor window at a Cyprus hotel sustained multiple catastrophic injuries, a coroner has said.
The toddler suffered fatal injuries to his head, vital organs and body after plunging almost 40ft from the five-star King Evelthon Beach Hotel and Resort in Chlorakas.
Essex Coroner’s Court heard that the tragedy occurred on July 12, 2026, on the first day of the family’s holiday on the Mediterranean island.
His father, Joshua Foster, was fined €3,000 (£2,500) at a court in Paphos last month after admitting that he had caused his son’s death through a reckless, rash or dangerous act.
A judge told Foster he would “have guilt for the rest of his life” after hearing that he had placed the child on a windowsill to show him the view of a waterpark, unaware that the window was open.
Lincoln Brookes, Essex’s senior coroner, described the case as “particularly tragic” as he opened and adjourned the inquest on Friday.
Joshua Foster pictured leaving court in Paphos in September after admitting causing his son’s death
The child fell from a fourth-floor window of the five-star King Evelthon Beach Hotel and Resort in Chlorakas
When Our News Outlet visited the scene of the tragedy days after it unfolded in July, we found the fourth floor window was still open
“This two-year-old child was on holiday with his family in Paphos, Cyprus,” Mr Brookes said.
“He sadly fell from a fourth-floor window at the hotel where the family were staying and his death was confirmed at hospital later that same day.”
The provisional cause of death was recorded as “severe craniocerebral injuries and multiple injuries of the body and vital organs”.
Mr Brookes said a full inquest had been scheduled for January 6 and offered his condolences to the child’s family.
Foster, an AI director at Big Four accounting firm KPMG, “lost control” of his son while showing him the view of a waterpark, the Paphos court heard last month.
He had arrived at the resort early on July 12 with his wife, their son, five-year-old daughter and parents-in-law.
After having drinks beside the pool that afternoon, he returned to the room before taking his son and father-in-law to the lift to meet the rest of the family for dinner.
Believing the window had “protective glass”, he briefly placed his son on the sill “to see the view”. Judge Froso Christodoulidou told him the decision would leave him “facing his guilt for the rest of his life”.
She described the conduct as reckless but an “innocent mistake”. The court heard there were no clear markings indicating that the window was open, while Foster’s alcohol consumption earlier that day had played no part in the accident.
Judge Christodoulidou had previously said she would not impose a custodial sentence, taking into account his “personal situation and character”.
Foster, who was grieving, “co-operated immediately” with investigators and had no previous criminal record. The case had also caused “lots of harm to his family”. The maximum fine available to the judge was €5,000.
Foster’s lawyer Alexandros Alexandrou (pictured) attacked prosecutors for pressing ahead with the case
The judge also noted that Foster’s career could be affected. He is facing a UK tribunal over the case, which could result in him being struck off.
“It is no exaggeration to say that for the rest of his life he will feel guilt for losing his child in such a tragic way,” she said.
Foster’s lawyer, Alexandros Alexandrou, openly criticised prosecutors for pursuing the case after the tragedy.
The father had been held without charge for eight days—a measure usually reserved for murder suspects—which was described by the Cypriot press as the “cruellest act”. He was also forced to tell his young daughter that her brother had died via FaceTime while behind bars.
“This case should not have gone to court. We initially asked for the case to be suspended, but unfortunately that was not accepted,” Mr Alexandrou said, describing Foster as “an extraordinary man, an extraordinary father, and a very good husband”.
He added: “This isolated, unintended incident had devastating and unimaginable consequences. Nothing about today’s outcome changes the profound loss this family has suffered.”
When Our News Outlet visited the hotel days after the accident, the large fourth-floor window was still open.
UK health and safety guidance states that hotel windows large enough for children to fall through should be restricted to an opening of 4in or less.
In Cyprus, however, the requirement is that the window be positioned above a ledge at least 3.5ft high—a rule the King Evelthon met.
After the sentencing, a spokesman for the Foster family said: “Today marks the end of the legal proceedings in Cyprus, and we are grateful to the court and Judge Christodoulidou for her decision to apply the maximum mitigation available to her.
“We are relieved that this process is now over, but for our family, the consequences of this tragedy will never end.
“Our son was deeply loved and will be forever missed. His loss is something we carry with us every day.
“Our focus now is on supporting one another and finding a way forward as a family. We ask that our privacy is respected as we do so.”
The hotel’s safety record has been scrutinised after it emerged that other British tourists – including 21-year old Ben Woods, pictured with his dad Mick – have died at the hotel
Six-year-old Ruaridh Nairne, from Inverness, drowned at the hotel while on holiday there in October 2023
The King Evelthon Hotel’s safety record has come under scrutiny after it emerged that the child was the third British tourist to die at the resort in four years.
Ben Woods, 21, from Leigh in Greater Manchester, drowned while playing volleyball in the hotel pool in July 2022.
The following year, six-year-old Ruaridh Nairne, from Inverness, also drowned. Another woman was reportedly killed while swimming there in 2024.
Antonis Stivitanides, the resort’s general manager, previously told the Mail that police had not found the hotel at fault for the deaths.
He added: “I will not comment on allegations made by guests regarding health and safety, as everyone has their own opinions.
“Our hotel is fully licensed and complies with all regulations. It is safe for visitors to come and stay.
“We are very sorry for all the families involved and offer them our sincere condolences and sympathy.”
“Death trap” Cyprus hotel under fire as Mail reveals toddler who fell to his death was among three British tourists to die at resort in as many years
