Paddy petition targets Number 10
THE father of a teenage boy who died after a night out in Newquay has created a petition lobbying the Prime Minister to increase safety measures in the town.
John Higgins has posted a petition on the Number 10 website after his 16-year-old son Paddy was found at the foot of cliffs on Towan Beach on July 6 after a night out.
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Paddy Higgins
Mr Higgins wants Newquay to stop advertising itself as a party place for teenagers and cliff access points to be fenced off at night.
Paddy's stepmother created a group on the social networking website Facebook calling for visitors to boycott Newquay. Shireen Higgins, told the Western Morning News: "We cannot bring Paddy back but if we can stop other families going through what we are going through, something positive can come from what has happened."
Paddy's stepbrother Tom Barbour also called on people concerned with "the lack of safety" in Newquay to avoid the resort.
The debate has seen the creation of other Facebook groups which support Newquay as a tourist destination.
One contributor to the Don't Boycott Newquay and Don't Blame Newquay group, Gina Alexander, said: "Of course the population of Newquay regrets any misfortune that befalls visitors, from losing possessions to loss of life.
"None of us wants our town to be shown in a bad light. "Unfortunately, Paddy's death has created a backlash... where the people of Newquay are being portrayed as uncaring and money grabbing."
Another contributor, Jack Pays, said: "Blaming Newquay as a town for these tragedies is as ridiculous as blaming Everest for killing a mountaineer once he had decided to try and climb it."
Mr Higgins' petition was yesterday awaiting publication on the Number 10 website.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said there was often a delay of a few days between the petition being lodged by the creator and it being posted on the website. To sign the petition, visit http://petitions.number10.gov.uk.
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by Jake Burns, Newquay
Sunday, July 26 2009, 7:58AM
“Very very sad to here what happened to Paddy,RIP young man... blaming Newquay is Knee Jerk and ridiculous. His parents allowed him to go on a jolly to a well known 'party-town'... what did they imagine... only soft drinks on board...get real! Teenagers experiment..they all do... Blame is part of the grieving process, it goes in stages.... a petition against a town? Pathetic and pointless, stop being blinkered and hold on to your dignity and accept it was a tragic accident, treasure the memories dont waste you're time like this!”
by mark, newquay
Sunday, July 26 2009, 7:21AM
“i am sick and fed up of hearing that it is newquays fault for these idiots coming to our town getting drunk and going for a walk along the cliffs.the tourists do not live here so why should railings be put up spoiling our special coastline.maybe the parents of these underage drinkers should maybe have brought there kids up more sensibly.we dont ask you to come down here at the end of the day”
by Jo, former Newquay resident
Saturday, July 25 2009, 6:29PM
“If the parent have to find someone to blame then they need look no further than their own front door. They are resposible for allowing their CHILD to go to Newquay and get drunk and do something foolish that cost him his life.
I teach 16 year olds and can tell anyone that although they may think they are mature enough to holiday on their own, they do not have enough life experience to always know what is the right and safe thing to do.
If anyone is responsible (which I'm not suggesting anyone is) it is the boy himself and beyond that his parents who should not have allowed their child to put himself in such a dangerous position. Any number of terrible things could have happened to a 16 year old, drunk and hundreds of miles from home with no adult supervision.
It is time that people started taking responsibility for their own actions instead of constantly trying to point their finger at someone else.”
by parent, cornwall
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 12:22PM
“Unfortunately with alcohol and high jinks of teenagers fencing probably would not have made a difference! The signs were there and ignored. How self centred for the parents to blame Newquay, the council, the police and anyone else but themselves. At 16 The parents are still responsible for their offspring.”
by allan, newquay
Monday, July 20 2009, 8:18AM
“sorry to have to say but dose the recent news meen that they are going to try a boycott on newquay for families as well after the tradgic acceident with the farther and son sunday 19th july i have to say these things happen every where just unlucky newquay is 1 area some of these have happen in R.I.P to the unfortuant ones and sorry to all the families”