Southampton Thomas Cook rep fights for life after balcony fall

12:40pm Thursday 11th October 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Luke Tugby, Senior reporter

Lian Connis with his sister Lauren Lian Connis with his sister Lauren

A HOLIDAY company rep from Southampton was fighting for his life last night after falling from a balcony at one of Europe’s most popular holiday resorts.

Lian Connis, 31, was given emergency treatment at a Spanish hospital for serious head injuries, a fractured pelvis, a broken leg and a punctured lung.

His distraught family were due to fly out to Gran Canaria this morning to hold a bedside vigil as he lies in an induced coma.

The Daily Echo understands that Lian, who has worked as a rep for Thomas Cook since February last year, fell after attempting to climb up to the balcony of the apartment where he was staying, after losing his keys.

He was rushed to Hospital Insular, in the Gran Canarian capital Las Palmas, after being found unconscious outside the apartment on Sunday night.

Saints fan Lian had been living in the resort of Puerto Rico, in the southwest part of the popular holiday island, since being posted there in March.

Lian’s sister, Lauren, 21, who lives with parents Lyn, 59, and Chris, 58, in Fritham Road, Harefield, told the Daily Echo that the ordeal has been “terrifying”.

The family set up a group on Facebook after Lian was initially reported missing by work colleagues in the Canary Islands on Monday.

But the family received a call from Thomas Cook staff yesterday giving them the shattering news that the former Itchen College student was “in a bad way” in intensive care.

Lauren, who used to work for rival travel firm Thomson, said: “It was a horrible phone call to have. Obviously we were relieved that he had been found and that he was alive, but at the same time we are worried sick about him because he’s in intensive care.

“We just want him to recover and to be safe. We are all praying that everything is going to be all right.”

Lauren said that her parents had last spoken to Lian at the weekend after he won the company’s holiday rep of the month award.

She added: “Lian absolutely loves his job. He was unemployed before he joined Thomas Cook and this job was the best thing that’s ever happened to him.

“We only spoke to him on Saturday. He was so happy and full of life because he had won rep of the month.

“The next thing we know we get a call from Thomas Cook saying that police are searching for him and no one knew where he was. It was terrifying.

“It’s all been very emotional, but when something like this happens, you just live on hope.

That’s all you can go on.”

A spokesman for Thomas Cook UK and Ireland said: “Lian Connis is a valued member of our Gran Canaria resort team and we’re giving our full support to him, his family and colleagues while he is in hospital.

“We wish him the speediest of recoveries.”

Comments(16)

ohec says...
12:50pm Thu 11 Oct 12

I don't think the Echo have made a very wise decision by allowing comments on this story because we all know whats coming, but you don't have to put into print what you might think.

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Georgem says...
12:57pm Thu 11 Oct 12

Taskforce 141 wrote:
I'm sorry to say that, had he not been so foolish he would not be in hospital right now.
Well, that probably applies to a large proportion of people in hospital, or in any number of other crises. I'm not sure pointing it out helps.

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elvisimo says...
1:55pm Thu 11 Oct 12

Taskforce 141 wrote:
I'm sorry to say that, had he not been so foolish he would not be in hospital right now.
pointless comment.Echo, remove the ability to commet on this story.

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happysaint says...
2:09pm Thu 11 Oct 12

Why do people always look at the bad in people lian is a mate of mine and its proper sad that this has happened no one knows what happened for this yeah maybe he was drunk but I'm dam sure a lot of people do the same every weekend he is a southern through and through everyone should be glad its not your son or daughter and instead of sniping get behind the lad . He was working and supporting his life and girlfriend and won rep of the month maybe was entitled a drink or maybe it was something more sinister or plain accident I just wish people get facts straight before shouting out

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happysaint says...
2:15pm Thu 11 Oct 12

Plus I read most comments from across different news clippings on here and its the comments are sometimes so out of order and plain playground stuff I hate to comment any more but i had to defend my friend who is in a bad way

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MGRA says...
2:32pm Thu 11 Oct 12

happysaint wrote:
Plus I read most comments from across different news clippings on here and its the comments are sometimes so out of order and plain playground stuff I hate to comment any more but i had to defend my friend who is in a bad way
Hopefully he will pull through...ignore the muppets...

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Dasal says...
2:39pm Thu 11 Oct 12

happysaint wrote:
Why do people always look at the bad in people lian is a mate of mine and its proper sad that this has happened no one knows what happened for this yeah maybe he was drunk but I'm dam sure a lot of people do the same every weekend he is a southern through and through everyone should be glad its not your son or daughter and instead of sniping get behind the lad . He was working and supporting his life and girlfriend and won rep of the month maybe was entitled a drink or maybe it was something more sinister or plain accident I just wish people get facts straight before shouting out
You're so right "happysaint". We've all had a few too many and done reckless things whilst "under the influence".
Fortunately most of us are able to look back and think - "how the hell did I get away with doing that"?.Unfortunately
, it looks as if Lian is not one of them - that is of course,IF - and I'm not saying he was, because of course we don't know - he did have a few too many.
Whatever the circumstances, I, and I'm sure the vast majority of posters on site, wish for his full recovery and send our thoughts to his immediate family.

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magssoton says...
2:41pm Thu 11 Oct 12

Wishing you a speedy recovery Lian. thinking of you and your family xx

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TheJoiners says...
2:52pm Thu 11 Oct 12

Get well soon fella

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Over the Edge says...
3:22pm Thu 11 Oct 12

Hoping Lian makes a full recovery, my thoughts are with the family.

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commonsence says...
3:22pm Thu 11 Oct 12

A young man is very ill , his family are worried and whatever caused the fall . I for one only wish him a full recovery.

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happysaint says...
4:10pm Thu 11 Oct 12

Lian was locked out by forgetting his keys so tried to climb in ...we all done that even if it was a window seems like a pure accident so to the doubters here's the fact but thank for the rest of the kind messages im sure the family will echo what I say and yes I have spoken to lauren Connis

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Laralou says...
6:59pm Thu 11 Oct 12

As family, I would like to say that we are praying for his speedy recovery. Regardless of how he managed to get in this state, nobody nor any family wish to go through this ordeal. Lian was missing for 4 days, his family were miles away and he was nowhere to be seen. He has been found near to death and in a foreign country. Where is your heart? Lian is one of the kindest people I know and no matter how far away he is, he deserves his family by his side and the best possible treatment. Thank you for all of the lovely comments xx His family are very grateful xx

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Hdg end mo says...
11:12pm Thu 11 Oct 12

Laralou wrote:
As family, I would like to say that we are praying for his speedy recovery. Regardless of how he managed to get in this state, nobody nor any family wish to go through this ordeal. Lian was missing for 4 days, his family were miles away and he was nowhere to be seen. He has been found near to death and in a foreign country. Where is your heart? Lian is one of the kindest people I know and no matter how far away he is, he deserves his family by his side and the best possible treatment. Thank you for all of the lovely comments xx His family are very grateful xx
The Echo should think twice about adding a comments section when sensative issues arise report it if you must but leave it at that because there's always one who causes even more heartache to friends and family wishing lian a speedy recovery from his injuries

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BenjiWinsor says...
7:01am Fri 12 Oct 12

Wishing Lian a full and speedy recovery x

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Huey says...
9:24am Fri 12 Oct 12

How come so many people on holiday fall off balconies?

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