United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Call for investigation into Benidorm water park after British man breaks his neck
The family of a 23-year-old British holidaymaker who broke his neck in an accident at a Spanish water park are calling for an investigation.
David Briffaut from Essex could be left paralysed following the incident on the Splash ride at Aqualandia in Benidorm.
The golf club green keeper is currently in intensive care in a Spanish hospital awaiting surgery, his family told Radio 1 Newsbeat.
The Foreign Office said it was assisting his family.
Aqualandia said it is ‘very sad about what happened’ but claimed it wasn’t responsible for the accident.
David went down the slide on his stomach, following instructions, but passed out after hitting the water in the pool at the bottom.
Reports said he was at the water park with his girlfriend to celebrate the end of her university course.
His uncle Mark told newspapers: "We believe there should be a full investigation into the circumstances of what happened."
An Aqualandia spokesperson told Radio 1 Newsbeat: "The ride Splash is completely safe, as are the rest of the slides at the park."
The park said the slides are checked by an external company every season and by staff each morning.
The Foreign Office said: "Our consular staff are assisting the family of a British man hospitalised in Alicante, including by providing details of local lawyers, visiting the family at the hospital and liaising with the local authorities."
David’s family have set up a crowdfunding page to raise £75,000 to help pay for his care when he returns home, which has so far raised more than £33,000.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel
Report: Cruise guest died after ship lashed in heavy storm
British teen in serious condition after paraglider collision