A 14-year old boy was charged yesterday with involuntary homicide of his friend after a beach accident in Gozo earlier this summer.

The accused, whose name cannot be published as he is a minor, is pleading not guilty to the charge.

James Xuereb, 14, suffered spinal injuries when the accused had landed on Xuereb’s back after the two had jumped into the sea from a height, at Xatt l-Aħmar in Gozo on 9 July this year. 

Xuereb had been taken to hospital, where it was found that Xuereb’s spinal cord had been damaged in the collision.

Xuereb remained in a critical condition and succumbed to his injuries 10 days ago.

Presiding over the Juvenile Court in Gozo, Magistrate Joe Mifsud called on beachgoers to be careful of other bathers and strive to take the necessary measures to prevent such tragedies from being repeated.

Police investigations concluded that Xuereb had jumped into the sea a split second before the accused, who landed on the victim, seriously injuring him.

The case continues on 3 November.

Lawyer Carmelo Galea represented the accused, whilst lawyer Kathleen Grima appeared parte civile for the victim’s family.