In a heartbreaking incident last year, Timothy Southern, a 53-year-old British tourist, died in a Jamaican hotel following an alcohol challenge as per his obituary
The incident took place at the Royal Decameron Club Caribbean, where Southern reportedly attempted to consume 21 cocktails from the hotel pool bar’s menu. A year later, his family’s distress is far from over, with criticism being aimed at the hotel staff and nurse over their handling of the situation.
Who is British tourist Timothy Southern who died in Jamaica during drinking competition and obituary
In May 2022, Timothy Southern was holidaying with his family in Jamaica, including his sister and children. The ill-fated day saw him at the pool bar of the Royal Decameron Club Caribbean where he joined two Canadian women in a challenge to drink 21 cocktails from the bar menu. After consuming 12 cocktails, Southern retired to his hotel room where he fell seriously ill and later died.
A drinking competition at a bar in Jamaica ended in the death of Timothy Southern from Staffordshire after he tried to drink 21 cocktails. He managed 12 and after the contest he headed back to his hotel room. He was pronounced dead the next morning.😳 pic.twitter.com/SRSrchriFC
— Blac Goss (@Blacgoss) June 27, 2023
An official report from a Jamaican pathologist cited ‘acute gastroenteritis due to alcohol consumption’ as the cause of Southern’s death, a conclusion that was subsequently affirmed by Staffordshire area coroner Emma Serrano.
Family decries ‘Disgusting’ response by hotel staff and nurse
Timothy Southern’s family has since expressed their dismay at the hotel staff and nurse’s alleged mismanagement of the crisis, referring to it as “disgusting”. According to them, Southern was already noticeably inebriated when he decided to participate in the cocktail challenge.
In distressing details revealed during the inquest, a family member found Timothy Southern choking in his room. Despite their screams for medical assistance, they claim the response from the hotel’s nurse was inadequate.
“She only gave him chest compressions. Maybe if she had known what she was doing, maybe he would still be here,” a family member lamented during the inquest, expressing their belief that Southern’s life could have been saved with more competent care.
Fundraiser launched to repatriate Timothy Southern’s remains
After Southern died, his family started a GoFundMe effort to raise money so that his body could be brought back from Jamaica to England. Since it started last year, the fundraiser has raised over $12,000 and is getting close to reaching the $19,000 goal.
As Timothy Southern’s family continues to grieve, their criticism of the hotel staff and nurse’s actions is a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with hospitality services. The tragic event shows how important it is for hotels to have tighter rules and better training for their staff so that similar things don’t happen again.