Rhodes parasailing deaths: Generous Brits raise £40K for family of two teens killed in tragedy as third fights for life
GENEROUS Brits have donated more than £40,000 to the devastated family of two teens killed in a Greek parasailing accident – as a third fights for his life in hospital.
They have shown their support following the deaths of Jessica Lee Hayes, 15, and her cousin Michael 'Mikey' Connelly, 13, on the holiday island of Rhodes on Wednesday.
The pair were parasailing with Michael’s older brother James, 15, when a rope attaching their parachute to a speedboat snapped.
All three were carried hundreds of feet in the air into rocks off the fishing village of Lindos.
James survived the horror plunge but remains in an induced coma in hospital.
Jessica’s dad Tony Hayes, from Corby, Northants, has now thanked the British public for their support as they continue to deal with their “nightmare”.
It states: "We are raising money for the family to be used to support them both now and with the struggles that lie ahead."
Speaking from a hospital in Rhodes, Tony told The Sun on Sunday: “The nice messages from people across the country have been such a support.
"He is in a dark place just now but with the support and prayer being offered and his medical care I'm confident he'll pull through," Phil added.
"He'll wake up to find his brother and cousin in eternal rest; it will devastate him like it has us."
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Greek prosecutors have requested more time to pull evidence together before charging anyone over the children’s deaths.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said after the tragedy: "We are supporting the family of two British people following their death in Rhodes, and are in contact with the Greek authorities."