Lawyers Investigating Following “Traumatising” Water Park Incident

A woman who needed a blood transfusion following an accident at a water park in Bulgaria is calling for more awareness on the risks of water slides.

Jade Graves, from Hull was holidaying in Nessebar with her family in July of last year. During a visit to the Aqua Paradise Water Park on 25 July, Jade decided to go on the Space Jam slide.

Despite following safety guidelines from the lifeguard to cross her arms and legs, Jade felt an intense dull pain in her lower pelvic area as she hit the water at the bottom of the slide.  She also noticed blood running down her legs.

Jade was looked after by staff at the water park but had suffered such severe blood loss that she became faint and breathless.  She was taken to Life Hospital in Burgas by ambulance, where she remained as an inpatient for four days.  She was given stitches and a blood transfusion, and surgeons repaired a severed artery.

Following the accident, Jade instructed specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate what happened to her in the hope of raising awareness of the potential dangers of water slides.

Jade has since learned that a nine-year-old girl from Russia allegedly sustained similar injuries at the water park shortly before her incident.

Expert Opinion

“This is a deeply concerning case where a young woman has sustained horrific injuries during what was meant to be a fun and relaxing time.

“Unfortunately we see a lot of these cases at this particular time of year, and Jade’s life has been completely turned upside down with her suffering mentally as well as physically.

“We have now begun our investigation into the accident and are determined to get Jade the answers she needs to help her move forward with her life.”
Cheryl Palmer-Hughes - Partner and Head of our International Serious Injury Desk

Jade was off work for around five weeks whilst recovering from her injuries, namely a severed artery with profound arterial bleeding leading to haemorrhagic shock and secondary anaemia. The incident has caused Jade significant psychological trauma and is something she is still coming to terms with.

Jade said: “I still can’t believe what happened to me on that slide.  I was meant to be having a lovely holiday with my family but the whole experience has been traumatising.

“As I hit the water, I was in a lot of pain and I lost so much blood that I had to get a transfusion.  It was a complete nightmare and I still get deeply upset about it.

“I am still uncertain as to what happened exactly, because I followed all the rules put to me by the lifeguard.  I really hope that the investigations can get to the bottom of it as I don’t want anyone else to have to go through what I have.

“I wish I had never set foot in that water park.”

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